Muammar al-Qaddafi led a group of young army officers who overthrew the government of King Idris I in 1961. After the officers seized control, Qadaffi emerged as head of the ruling council. Although he doesn't hold any title in Libya, it is clear that he is the absolute ruler of the country. Qaddafi brought socialism to Libya by taking over and nationalizing all industries, including the profitable oil industry. He reorganized the government in a way that seemed to give more voice to the people, but he and his close advisers made all important decisions. Dissenters were imprisoned or killed. In the name of promoting Arab unity, Qaddafi supported Arab and other terrorists around the globe. He also sent assassins to kill exiled Libyans who spoke out against him. Still, he spoke out strongly against the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. In recent years, Qaddafi has opened Libya to foreign investors and agreed to give up his nuclear program. It is not clear whether he has also reduced his firm control of Libyan citizens. After forty years of rule, Qaddafi is still a puzzle to the outside world.
