This article lists the heads of state of Libya since the country's independence in 1951.

Libya has been in a tumultuous state since the start of the Arab Spring-related Libyan crisis in 2011; the crisis resulted in the collapse of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the killing of Muammar Gaddafi, amidst the First Civil War and the foreign military intervention. The crisis was deepened by the factional violence in the aftermath of the First Civil War, resulting in the outbreak of the Second Civil War in 2014. The control over the country is currently split between the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the rival Government of National Stability (GNS)—supported by the House of Representatives (HoR)—in Tobruk, their respective supporters, as well as various jihadist groups and tribal elements controlling parts of the country.

Heads of state of Libya (1951–present)

Kingdom of Libya (1951–1969)
No.NamePortraitLifespanReignDynasty
Reign startReign endDuration
1Idris I1889–198324 December 19511 September 196917 years, 251 daysSenussi
The first and only King of Libya. Deposed in the 1969 revolution.
Libya under Gaddafi (1969–2011) Libyan Arab Republic (1969–1977)
No.NamePortraitLifespanTerm of officePolitical affiliation
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
2Muammar Gaddafi1942–20111 September 19692 March 19777 years, 182 daysMilitary / Arab Socialist Union
Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC). Gaddafi dissolved the RCC on 2 March 1977, after the General People's Congress (GPC) adopted the Declaration on the Establishment of the Authority of the People.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (1977–2011)
(2)Muammar Gaddafi1942–20112 March 19772 March 19792 yearsMilitary / Independent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC. 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 First Civil War in 2011.
3Abdul Ati al-Obeidi1939–20232 March 19797 January 19811 year, 311 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC. Previously served as Secretary-General of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister), from 1977 to 1979.
4Muhammad az-Zaruq Rajabborn 19407 January 198115 February 19843 years, 39 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC. Afterwards served as Secretary-General of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister), from 1984 to 1986.
5Mifta al-Usta Umar1935–201015 February 19847 October 19906 years, 234 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC. Served at the time of the 1986 United States bombing (Operation El Dorado Canyon).
6Abdul Razzaq as-Sawsa1933–20167 October 199018 January 19921 year, 103 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC.
7Muhammad az-Zanati1937[citation needed]–202518 January 19923 March 200816 years, 45 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC.
8Miftah Muhammed K'ebaborn 1947[citation needed]3 March 20085 March 20091 year, 2 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC.
9Imbarek Shamekhborn 19525 March 200926 January 2010327 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC. Previously served as Secretary-General of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister), from 2000 to 2003.
10Mohamed Abu al-Qasim al-Zwaiborn 195226 January 201023 August 20111 year, 209 daysIndependent (Islamic socialist)
Secretary-General of the GPC. 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)
11Mustafa Abdul Jalilborn 19525 March 20118 August 20121 year, 156 daysIndependent
Chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC). In rebellion to 23 August 2011, based in Benghazi during this period.
—Mohammed Ali Salim1935–20228 August 20129 August 20121 dayIndependent
Acting President of the General National Congress (GNC). Symbolic head of state for the handover of power from the NTC.
12Mohammed Magariafborn 19409 August 201228 May 2013292 daysNational Front Party
President of the GNC. Resigned to comply with the Political Isolation Law passed by the GNC on 14 May 2013.
—Giuma Ahmed Atighaborn 195028 May 201325 June 201328 daysIndependent
Acting President of the GNC.
13Nouri Abusahmainborn 195625 June 20135 April 20162 years, 285 daysIndependent
President of the GNC. In rebellion, based in Tripoli. Internationally recognized until 4 August 2014.
Following the 2014 parliamentary election, the government was split between the newly-elected House of Representatives (HoR) and the outgoing GNC, resulting in the Second Civil War. The 2014 elections were declared invalid by the Supreme Court in November 2014.
—Abu Bakr Bairaborn 19414 August 20145 August 20141 dayIndependent
Acting President of the House of Representatives (HoR). Symbolic head of state for the handover of power from the GNC.
14Aguila Saleh Issaborn 19445 August 201415 March 20216 years, 222 daysIndependent
President of the HoR. In rebellion, based in Tobruk. Internationally recognized until 12 March 2016.
Following the inauguration of the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord (GNA), the government remained split between the HoR and the National Salvation Government (NSG), recreated after the 2016 coup attempt. Afterwards, the High Council of the Revolution was created as well. However, the High Council of State (HCS), based in Tripoli, recognized the GNA.
15Fayez al-Sarrajborn 196030 March 201615 March 20214 years, 350 daysIndependent
Chairman of the Presidential Council. Simultaneously served as Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA). Internationally recognized, based in Tripoli.
16Mohamed al-Menfiborn 197615 March 2021Incumbent5 years, 33 daysIndependent
Chairman of the Presidential Council. Internationally recognized, based in Tripoli.

Timeline

Incoming election

See also

External links