Gaddafi reportedly welcomed Barack Obama’s election as U.S. President. However, following NATO’s intervention, he was assassinated, and Libya has faced ongoing instability ever since.
Key reasons often cited for Gaddafi’s assassination:
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Libyans did not pay electricity bills; power was provided free of charge.
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Loans carried no interest as banks were state-owned, legally requiring 0% interest on citizen loans.
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Gaddafi pledged not to purchase a house for his parents until every Libyan had a home.
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Newlywed couples received 60,000 dinars from the government, enabling them to buy apartments and start families.
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Education and healthcare were free; literacy rose from 25% before Gaddafi to 83% during his rule.
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Citizens wishing to live on farms received free household appliances, seeds, and livestock.
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If treatment was unavailable locally, the state covered $2,300 plus accommodation and travel for medical care abroad.
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When purchasing a car, the government financed 50% of the cost.
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Gasoline was priced at $0.14 per liter.
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Libya had no external debt, with reserves reaching $150 billion (now frozen globally).
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For graduates unable to find jobs, the government paid an average salary until employment was secured.
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A portion of Libya’s oil revenue was directly deposited into citizens’ bank accounts.
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Mothers received $5,000 for giving birth.
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Forty loaves of bread cost $0.15.
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Gaddafi launched the world’s largest irrigation project, the “Great Man-Made River Project,” to provide water in desert regions.
Discussion point: Some view these policies as highly progressive, offering strong social welfare and economic support to citizens, which may have contributed to opposition from foreign powers. Others argue that Gaddafi’s regime was authoritarian, and Libya’s long-term stability depended on broader political reforms.
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