List of heads of state of Libya facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya
Seal of the Presidential Council of Libya
Incumbent Mohamed al-Menfi since 15 March 2021
Government of National Unity
Style	Mr. Chairman His Excellency
Member of	Presidential Council
Seat	Tripoli, Libya
Deputy	Vice Chairman of the Presidential Council

This article shares information about the leaders of Libya since it became an independent country in 1951.

Libya has faced many challenges since 2011. This period is known as the Libyan crisis. It led to the end of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya government. The country also experienced a civil war and help from other countries.

After the first civil war, there was more fighting between different groups. This led to a second civil war in 2014. Today, control over Libya is divided. The Government of National Stability (GNS) is in Tobruk. It is supported by the House of Representatives (HoR). The Government of National Unity (GNU) is in Tripoli. Other groups also control parts of the country.

Leaders of Libya (1951–present)

Kingdom of Libya (1951–1969)
No.		Name	Portrait	Lifespan	Time in Power			Family
					Start Date	End Date	How Long
1		Idris I		1889–1983	24 December 1951	1 September 1969	17 years, 251 days	Senussi
					He was the first and only King of Libya. He was removed from power in a revolution in 1969.
Libya under Gaddafi (1969–2011) Libyan Arab Republic (1969–1977)
No.		Name	Portrait	Lifespan	Time in Office			Political Group
					Took Office	Left Office	Time in Office
	2	Muammar Gaddafi		1942–2011	1 September 1969	2 March 1977	7 years, 182 days	Military / Arab Socialist Union
					He was the Chairman of the Libyan Revolutionary Command Council (RCC). Gaddafi ended the RCC in 1977. This happened after the General People's Congress (GPC) decided to give power to the people.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (1977–2011)
	(2)	Muammar Gaddafi		1942–2011	2 March 1977	2 March 1979	2 years	Military / Independent (Islamic socialist)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC. Gaddafi gave up his government jobs in 1979. But he remained the "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution". He kept control over Libya until he was removed from power and died during the First Civil War in 2011.
	3	Abdul Ati al-Obeidi		1939–2023	2 March 1979	7 January 1981	1 year, 311 days	Independent (Islamic socialist)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC. He was also the 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)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC. He later served as 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)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC. He was in office during the 1986 United States bombing of Libya.
	6	Abdul Razzaq as-Sawsa		1933–2016	7 October 1990	18 January 1992	1 year, 103 days	Independent (Islamic socialist)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC.
	7	Muhammad az-Zanati		1937–2025	18 January 1992	3 March 2008	16 years, 45 days	Independent (Islamic socialist)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC.
	8	Miftah Muhammed K'eba		born 1947	3 March 2008	5 March 2009	1 year, 2 days	Independent (Islamic socialist)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC.
	9	Imbarek Shamekh		born 1952	5 March 2009	26 January 2010	327 days	Independent (Islamic socialist)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC. He also served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2003.
	10	Mohamed Abu al-Qasim al-Zwai		born 1952	26 January 2010	23 August 2011	1 year, 209 days	Independent (Islamic socialist)
					He was the Secretary-General of the GPC. He was in office during the First Civil War. He was removed from power during the Battle of Tripoli.
Transition Period (2011–present)
	11	Mustafa Abdul Jalil		born 1952	5 March 2011	8 August 2012	1 year, 156 days	Independent
					He was the Chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC). This group was in rebellion until August 2011. It was based in Benghazi during that time.
	—	Mohammed Ali Salim		1935–2022	8 August 2012	9 August 2012	1 day	Independent
					He was the acting President of the General National Congress (GNC). He held this role briefly to oversee the transfer of power from the NTC.
	12	Mohammed Magariaf		born 1940	9 August 2012	28 May 2013	292 days	National Front Party
					He was the President of the GNC. He resigned to follow a new law passed in May 2013.
	—	Giuma Ahmed Atigha		born 1950	28 May 2013	25 June 2013	28 days	Independent
					He was the acting President of the GNC.
	13	Nouri Abusahmain		born 1956	25 June 2013	5 April 2016	2 years, 285 days	Independent
					He was the President of the GNC. His government was based in Tripoli. It was recognized by other countries until August 2014.
After the 2014 election, the government split. The new House of Representatives (HoR) and the old GNC both claimed power. This led to the Second Civil War. The 2014 elections were later declared invalid by the Supreme Court.
	—	Abu Bakr Baira		born 1941	4 August 2014	5 August 2014	1 day	Independent
					He was the acting President of the House of Representatives (HoR). He held this role briefly for the transfer of power from the GNC.
	14	Aguila Saleh Issa		born 1944	5 August 2014	15 March 2021	6 years, 222 days	Independent
					He was the President of the HoR. His government was based in Tobruk. It was recognized by other countries until March 2016.
After the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord (GNA) started, the government was still split. The HoR and the National Salvation Government (NSG) both claimed power. However, the High Council of State (HCS) in Tripoli recognized the GNA.
	15	Fayez al-Sarraj		born 1960	30 March 2016	15 March 2021	4 years, 350 days	Independent
					He was the Chairman of the Presidential Council. He was also the Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA). His government was recognized by other countries and based in Tripoli.
	16	Mohamed al-Menfi		born 1976	15 March 2021	Incumbent	4 years, 151 days	Independent
					He is the current Chairman of the Presidential Council. His government is recognized by other countries and based in Tripoli.

Timeline

See also

• List of governors-general of Italian Libya
• List of heads of government of Libya
• Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution