List of heads of state of Libya

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This is a list of heads of state of Libya since independence in 1951.

Head of State of Libya
Incumbent
Mohamed al-Menfi
as Chairman of the Presidential Council

since 15 March 2021
Inaugural holderIdris I
as King of Libya
Formation24 December 1951
Websitewww.gnc.gov.ly (in Arabic)

Heads of state of Libya (1951–present) change

Kingdom of Libya (1951–1969) change

No. Name Portrait Lifespan Reign Dynasty
Reign start Reign end Duration
King of Libya
1 Idris I   1889–1983 24 December 1951 1 September 1969 17 years, 251 days Senussi
The first and only King of Libya. Deposed in the 1969 coup d'état.

Libya under Gaddafi (1969–2011) change

Libyan Arab Republic (1969–1977) change

No. Name Portrait Lifespan Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council
2 Muammar Gaddafi   1942–2011 1 September 1969 2 March 1977 7 years, 182 days Military /
Arab Socialist Union
Gaddafi dissolved the Revolutionary Command Council on 2 March 1977, after the General People's Congress adopted the Declaration on the Establishment of the Authority of the People.

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (1977–2011) change

Secretaries-General of the General People's Congress
(2) Muammar Gaddafi   1942–2011 2 March 1977 2 March 1979 2 years Military /
Independent
(Islamic socialist)
Gaddafi renounced all government functions on 2 March 1979. However, as leader of the revolution (officially "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution"), he retained ultimate control over Libya until he was deposed and killed during the 2011 Civil War.[1][2]
3 Abdul Ati al-Obeidi   born 1939 2 March 1979 7 January 1981 1 year, 311 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
Previously served as Secretary-General of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister), from 1977 to 1979.
4 Muhammad az-Zaruq Rajab   born 1940 7 January 1981 15 February 1984 3 years, 39 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
Afterwards served as Secretary-General of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister), from 1984 to 1986.
5 Mifta al-Usta Umar   1935–2010 15 February 1984 7 October 1990 6 years, 234 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
Served at the time of the 1986 United States bombing (Operation El Dorado Canyon).
6 Abdul Razzaq as-Sawsa   1933–2016 7 October 1990 18 January 1992 1 year, 103 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
7 Muhammad az-Zanati   born 1944 18 January 1992 3 March 2008 16 years, 45 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
8 Miftah Muhammed K'eba   born 1947 3 March 2008 5 March 2009 1 year, 2 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
9 Imbarek Shamekh   born 1952 5 March 2009[3] 26 January 2010 327 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
Previously served as Secretary-General of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister), from 2000 to 2003.
10 Mohamed Abu al-Qasim al-Zwai   born 1952 26 January 2010[4] 23 August 2011 1 year, 209 days Independent
(Islamic socialist)
Served at the time of the First Civil War and the concurrent foreign military intervention. Deposed during the Battle of Tripoli.

Transitional period (2011–present) change

Chairman of the National Transitional Council
11 Mustafa Abdul Jalil   born 1952 5 March 2011 8 August 2012 1 year, 156 days Independent
In rebellion to 23 August 2011, based in Benghazi during this period.
Presidents of the General National Congress
Mohammed Ali Salim
Acting President
  born 1935 8 August 2012 9 August 2012 1 day Independent
Symbolic head of state for the handover of power from the NTC.
12 Mohammed Magariaf   born 1940 9 August 2012 28 May 2013 292 days National Front Party
Resigned to comply with the Political Isolation Law passed by the GNC on 14 May 2013.
Giuma Ahmed Atigha
Acting President
  born 1950 28 May 2013 25 June 2013 28 days Independent
13 Nouri Abusahmain   born 1956 25 June 2013 5 April 2016 2 years, 285 days Independent
In rebellion, based in Tripoli. Internationally recognized until 4 August 2014.
Following the 2014 legislative election, the government was split between the newly-elected House of Representatives and the outgoing General National Congress, resulting in the ongoing civil war. The 2014 legislative elections were declared invalid by the Libyan Supreme Court in November 2014.
Presidents of the House of Representatives
Abu Bakr Baira
Acting President
  born 1941 4 August 2014 5 August 2014 1 day Independent
Symbolic head of state for the handover of power from the GNC.
14 Aguila Saleh Issa   born 1944 5 August 2014 15 March 2021 6 years, 222 days Independent
In rebellion, based in Tobruk. Internationally recognized until 12 March 2016.
Following the inauguration of the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord, the government remained split between the House of Representatives and the National Salvation Government, recreated after the 2016 coup d'état attempt. Afterwards, the High Council of the Revolution was created as well. However, the High Council of State, based in Tripoli, recognized the GNA.
Chairmen of the Presidential Council
15 Fayez al-Sarraj   born 1960 30 March 2016 15 March 2021 4 years, 350 days Independent
Internationally recognized, based in Tripoli. Simultaneously served as Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord.
16 Mohamed al-Menfi   born 1976 15 March 2021 Incumbent 3 years, 12 days Independent
Internationally recognized, based in Tripoli.

Affiliations change

ASU Arab Socialist Union
     Nasserist, centrist, government party, only legal party 1971-1977
Mil Military
NFP National Front Party
     Centrist; successor political organization (2012–present) to the diaspora National Front for the Salvation of Libya (in exile 1981–2011)  
n-p non-partisan
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References change

  1. Wynne-Jones, Jonathan (19 March 2011). "Libyan minister claims Gaddafi is powerless and the ceasefire is 'solid'". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 22 October 2011.
  2. "Gaddafi: Libya dignity under attack". Al Jazeera. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2011. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said that he is not a president and so cannot resign his position, and that power is in the hands of the people, during a televised public rally in the capital, Tripoli.
  3. "Limited Reshuffle in GP Congress, GP Committee". The Tripoli Post. 6 March 2009. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. "Friend of Gaddafi named to head Libyan parliament". afran.ir. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2021.