The recent crisis in Libya is only the latest development in a long and tumultuous history of relations between the North African nation and the West. After rising to power in a military coup in 1969, the volatile Muammar el-Qaddafi spent decades as an outspoken proponent of Arab nationalism, a role that repeatedly brought him into conflict with the United States, Europe and the United Nations. In recent years, he made considerable efforts to repair his country's relationship with the West. It once again grew embattled, however, after his regime's crackdown on antigovernment protesters prompted international military intervention in the early days of March 2011.
Slideshow: The Rise of Qaddafi
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Muammar el-Qaddafi in 1969
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In the fall of 1969, Muammar el-Qaddafi changed the course of Libya's history by overthrowing the monarchy and proclaiming the new Libyan Arab Republic. It was the start of over 40 years of rule for the ambitious 27-year-old colonel, who had been born in a Bedouin tent and embraced pan-Arabism. (Photo Credit: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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Qaddafi with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and General Hafiz Al-Assad of Syria in 1971
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In the 1970s, Qaddafi pursued his goal of unifying all Arab states into one nation. His efforts failed and served to jeopardize Libya's relationship with its neighbors. (Photo Credit: Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
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Site of 1986 Berlin Nightclub Bombing
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Relations between the Qaddafi regime and the West deteriorated in April 1986 when Libyan terrorists bombed a Berlin disco, killing three people and injuring 230, including 50 U.S. servicemen. Based on evidence that Qaddafi ordered the attack, the United States carried out air strikes on Libya. (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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Libyans Commemorating 1986 Attacks
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In this photo taken on April 14, 1992, Libyans carry portraits of Qaddafi as they demonstrate to mark the anniversary of U.S. air attacks on Tripoli and Benghazi in 1986. According to the state-controlled Libyan media, the operation killed dozens of people, including Qaddafi's adopted daughter. (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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Lockerbie Bombing Wreckage
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On December 21, 1988, a bomb exploded aboard Pan Am Flight 103 while the plane was in midair over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 259 passengers and crew and 11 people on the ground. The United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on Libya to pressure Qaddafi's government to give up two suspects. (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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The Lockerbie Trial in May 2000
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After a visit to Libya by Nelson Mandela in 1997, Qaddafi handed over the two suspects in 1999. In 2001, a Scottish court convicted Abdel Baset al-Megrahi of the Lockerbie bombing and sentenced him to life imprisonment. (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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Qaddafi Speaks to the Press About the Lockerbie Verdict
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After the fall of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2003, Qaddafi changed course after decades of anti-Western policies, renouncing support for terrorism. Libya also formally accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and agreed to pay $2.7 billion to victims' families. (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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U.N. Security Council Votes To Lift Sanctions Against Libya
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As a result of Qaddafi's reversal, the United Nations Security Council voted to lift sanctions on Libya in September 2003. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
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Protests Erupt Outside United Nations in September 2009
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In September 2009, Qaddafi addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York for the first time, drawing protesters accusing him of human rights violations. His inflammatory speech lasted 90 minutes. At one point, he appeared to tear a copy of the United Nations charter. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
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Qaddafi in Tripoli on March 2, 2011
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With unrest spreading through much of the Arab world, massive political protests against the Qaddafi regime began in February 2011. On March 2, Qaddafi spoke at a ceremony of loyalists to mark 34 years of "people power." (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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Anti-Qaddafi Protests in Benghazi in March 2011
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As the uprising gained momentum throughout March, Qaddafi's troops cracked down on antigovernment protesters in Benghazi and Tripoli with brutal force. Reports reached the international community that hundreds of protesters had been killed. (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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Qaddafi Loyalists Celebrate Retaking of Ras Lanuf on March 12, 2011
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Spearheaded by France and Britain, which vowed to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, the Security Council voted to authorize military action to prevent loyalist forces from attacking civilian protestors. On March 19, American and European forces began air strikes against Qaddafi and his government. (Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images)
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Barbary Wars (1801 and 1815)
War breaks out after the United States refuses to pay tribute to the Barbary pirates of Tripoli (modern-day Libya) to ensure the safety of their merchant vessels. During the first Barbary War, U.S. Marines storm the pirates’ stronghold of Derna, an operation that is honored in the Marine Corps hymn (“to the shores of Tripoli”).
Italian Occupation (1911-1945)
Italy invades Libya and follows a full policy of colonization after 1922; some 150,000 Italians emigrate there by the outbreak of World War II. The country is the scene of much fighting during the North Africa campaigns (1941-43), and most Italian settlers leave by 1942.
Independent Kingdom (1951)
After a vote of the United Nations General Assembly, Libya becomes an independent state under the pro-British King Idris I. The discovery of petroleum in the late 1950s brings the country great wealth; its monarchy generally follows a pro-Western policy, though it does refuse to allow British troops to land during the Suez Crisis (1956).
Military Coup (1969)
Libyan military officers led by Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi depose Idris’ monarchy and form a revolutionary government. Qaddafi threatens war against “colonial states” if they do not withdraw their forces from Libya and orders closure of the U.S. Air Force base near Tripoli.
United States Bombs Libya (1986)
President Ronald Reagan orders bombings of targets in Tripoli and Benghazi in retaliation for Libya’s suspected involvement in a terrorist attack at a West Berlin disco frequented by U.S. servicemen. An estimated 40 Libyans, including Qaddafi’s infant adopted daughter, are reported killed
Pan Am Flight 103 (1988)
A bomb explodes aboard Pan Am Flight 103 while the plane is in midair over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 259 passengers and crew aboard the plane and 11 people on the ground. The United Nations Security Council imposes sanctions on Libya to pressure Qaddafi’s government to give up two suspects implicated in the bombing.
Trial in Scotland (1999-2001)
After a high-profile visit to Libya by President Nelson Mandela of South Africa in 1997, Qaddafi finally hands over the two suspects in 1999; the Security Council promptly suspends sanctions against Libya. In 2001, a Scottish court convicts Abdel Baset al-Megrahi of the Lockerbie bombing and sentences him to life imprisonment.
Change in Attitude (2003)
After the fall of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, Qaddafi abruptly changes course after decades of anti-Western policies, agreeing to give up Libya’s missiles and weapons of mass destruction and renouncing support for terrorism. Libya also formally accepts responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and agrees to pay $2.7 billion to victims’ families. As a result, the Security Council votes to lift sanctions on Libya.
Improving Relations (2004)
The United States announces the end of an 18-year trade embargo and lifts the ban on travel by Americans to Libya. British Prime Minister Tony Blair visits Tripoli to meet with Qaddafi. Two years later, the U.S. government removes Libya from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 27 years.
Al-Megrahi Released (2009)
Al-Megrahi, suffering from prostate cancer, is released from a Scottish prison on humanitarian grounds. This high point in relations between Libya and the West deteriorates quickly as Libya greets the convicted Lockerbie bomber with a hero’s welcome, provoking outrage in Britain and the United States.
Revolt in Libya (2011)
As unrest spreads through much of the Arab world, Qaddafi’s troops crack down on antigovernment protesters in Benghazi and Tripoli with brutal force. Spearheaded by France and Britain, which vow to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, the Security Council votes to authorize military action in order to prevent loyalist forces from routing the rebels and attacking civilian protestors. On March 19, American and European forces begin a campaign of air strikes against Qaddafi and his government.
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