King Idris I, who had ruled Libya since it gained independence from Italy in 1951, was seen as a pro-Western leader. During his reign, Libya discovered vast oil reserves, which significantly increased its wealth. However, despite the oil boom, much of the population remained in poverty, and there was widespread dissatisfaction with the monarchy’s inefficiency and apparent corruption. Additionally, King Idris’s close ties with Western powers, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, were unpopular among many Libyans, especially in the context of rising Arab nationalism.
In the early hours of September 1, 1969, Gaddafi and the Free Officers Movement, launched their coup. They took control of key institutions in Tripoli and Benghazi, including military bases, government offices, and radio stations. King Idris was in Turkey receiving medical treatment at the time, allowing the coup to be executed swiftly and efficiently while encountering little resistance.
By dawn, the Free Officers had announced the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Libyan Arab Republic. Gaddafi delivered a radio address to the nation, declaring the end of the ‘reactionary and corrupt’ regime of King Idris. His new government adopted a pan-Arab and anti-imperialist stance that saw them close foreign military bases and nationalise the oil industry.
While the initial years saw significant improvements in education, healthcare, and living standards for many Libyans, the regime’s later years were characterized by repression, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement. Gaddafi’s rule came to an end in 2011 during the Libyan Civil War.
