Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, formerly the official name for Libya, was a state led by Muammar Gaddafi's unique political ideology, known as the Third International Theory. Gaddafi held power for over four decades until his overthrow in 2011. The regime faced international criticism for human rights abuses, and its collapse led to ongoing political instability and conflict in the region. In 1977 Libya became "Al-Jamahiriya al-`Arabiyah al-Libiyah ash-Sha`biyah al-Ishtirakiyah al-Uzma" . In English, the name means the "Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya".

Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (1977–1986) الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الاشتراكية al-Jamāhīrīyah al-'Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha'bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (1986–2011) الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الإشتراكية العظمى al-Jamāhīrīyah al-'Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha'bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah al-'Uẓmá
1977–2011
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: وحدة ، حرية ، اشتراكية Waḥdah, Ḥurrīyah, Ishtirākīyah ("Unity, Freedom, Socialism")
Anthem: الله أكبر Allahu Akbar ("God is Great")
Capital	Tripoli (1977–2011) Sirte (2011)[1] 32°52′N 13°11′E
Largest city	Tripoli
Official languages	Arabic[b]
Spoken languages	Libyan Arabic Berber Italian[2]
Minority Languages	Teda Italian
Ethnic groups	Arab-Berber 97% 3% Others
Religion	Islam
Government	Unitary Islamic socialist Jamahiriya
Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution
• 1977–2011	Muammar al-Gaddafi
Secretary-General of the General People's Committee
• 1977–1979 (first)	Abdul Ati al-Obeidi
• 2006–2011 (last)	Baghdadi Mahmudi
Legislature	General People's Congress
Historical era	Cold War · War on Terror · Arab Spring
• People's Authority	2 March 1977
• First Civil War	15 February 2011
• Fall of Tripoli	28 August 2011
• Gaddafi killed	20 October 2011
Area
• Total	1,759,541 km2 (679,363 sq mi) (16th)
Population
• 2010	6,355,100
GDP (nominal)	2007 estimate
• Total	$58.3 billion
• Per capita	$14,364 [3]
HDI (2009)	0.847[4] very high
Currency	Libyan dinar (LYD)
Calling code	218
ISO 3166 code	LY
Preceded by Succeeded by Libyan Arab Republic Libya

Name

The official name "Libyan Arab Jamahiriya" was used for Libya from 1977 to 2011. "Jamahiriya" translates to "state of the masses" in Arabic, reflecting Muammar Gaddafi's political ideology. The term "Arab" denotes the country's cultural and linguistic affiliation.

History

The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, established by Muammar Gaddafi in 1977, was characterized by his unique political philosophy called "Jamahiriya," emphasizing direct people's rule. Gaddafi's rule faced both domestic opposition and international isolation. The nation experienced economic challenges, and Gaddafi's controversial policies led to conflicts, including the Lockerbie bombing. In 2011, the Arab Spring fueled a rebellion, resulting in NATO intervention and Gaddafi's overthrow. Post-Gaddafi Libya has struggled with political instability and security issues.