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• Though he holds no official office, Moammar Gadhafi (multiple spellings) has been the de facto leader of Libya since 1969.PBS: Libya's Qaddafi: From 'Mad Dog' to Global Player (August 4, 2008) He is nicknamed the "mad dog of the Middle East" and has been tied to terrorism in the past.http://abcnews.go.com/International/Politics/gaddafis-tent-blocked-stop-work-order/story?id=8649084

  In September 2009, Gaddafi set up a tent on property owned by Donald Trump, while he was in New York to speak at a United Nations General Assembly. The Libyan leader, who prefers to stay in a tent, rather then hi rise buildings with elevators, was not welcome by many Americans. New York City's central park would not allow him to set up a tent and the town of Englewood, New Jersey also refused to let him stay there.http://abcnews.go.com/International/Politics/gaddafis-tent-blocked-stop-work-order/story?id=8649084

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi
  2. Born: June 7, 1942PBS: Libya's Qaddafi: From 'Mad Dog' to Global Player (August 4, 2008)
  3. Alternate transliterations: Gadafy, Gaddafi, al-Gaddafi
  4. Holds no official public office or title
  5. September 1, 1969: Gaddafi led a coup against King Idris I
  6. Renounced terrorism in 2003Newsday.com: Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi Elected Leader of... (February 2, 2009)
  7. 2004: United States resumes formal diplomatic ties with Libya
  8. Appointed leader of the African Union on February 2, 2009Newsday.com: Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi Elected Leader of... (February 2, 2009)
  9. Attended the African Union meeting in a green robe embroidered with gold and surrounded by 7 extravagently dressed menNewsday.com: Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi Elected Leader of... (February 2, 2009)

• African Union

  On Monday, February 2, 2009, Moammar Gadhafi was elected leader of the African Union, a position that only lasts for a year and gives the appointee influence over the continent's politics but no real power.CNN: Libya's Gadhafi named African Union chairman (February 3, 2009)

• Libyan President

  Gadhafi, who is the fourth longest serving head of state that is currently in office, did not promote himself to general after taking power. Instead, he accepted a smaller promotion to colonel, the rank he still holds today. He has stated that because Libya is ruled by the people, he needs no higher title. Gadhafi has implemented his own system that he calls Islamic Socialism; however critics argue that because of assassinations on Libyan dissidents living abroad, his political philosophy is more idealistic than his practice.LibyaForum.org: Libya Human Development Report

• Diplomatic Relations With U.S.

  He is a strong proponent of Pan Arabism and has given support the PLO, Iran, and various terrorist groups in the past. However, in recent years Gadhafi has softened his stance, giving large amounts of humanitarian aid to sub-Saharan Africa and pledging to fight Al Qaeda, prompting the United States to resume diplomatic relations with Libya in 2004.

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Libya | African Union | Gaddafi Tent | Condoleezza Rice Libya Trip | France-Libya Nuclear Deal | Libya Releases HIV Medics | Darfur

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