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 lists the heads of state of Libya since the country became independent in 1951.

Libya has faced many challenges since 2011. This was when the Arab Spring events led to the Libyan crisis. This crisis caused the old government, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, to fall. Its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was killed during the First Civil War. Other countries also got involved to help.

After the first war, there was more fighting among different groups. This led to a Second Civil War in 2014. Today, control over Libya is split. The Government of National Stability (GNS) is in Tobruk. The Government of National Unity (GNU) is in Tripoli. There are also other groups and tribes that control parts of the country.

Leaders of Libya (1951–present)

Kingdom of Libya (1951–1969)
No.		Name	Portrait	Lifespan	Time as Leader			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 the 1969 revolution.
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 head of the Libyan Revolutionary Command Council (RCC). Gaddafi ended the RCC in 1977. This happened after a new declaration was made about the people's power.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (1977–2011)
	(2)	Muammar Gaddafi		1942–2011	2 March 1977	2 March 1979	2 years	Military / Independent
					He was the Secretary-General of the General People's Congress (GPC). Gaddafi gave up his official government jobs in 1979. But he remained the "Leader of the Revolution" and kept control of Libya. He was removed from power and killed 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
					Secretary-General of the GPC. He was also a Prime Minister before this role.
	4	Muhammad az-Zaruq Rajab		born 1940	7 January 1981	15 February 1984	3 years, 39 days	Independent
					Secretary-General of the GPC. He later became a Prime Minister.
	5	Mifta al-Usta Umar		1935–2010	15 February 1984	7 October 1990	6 years, 234 days	Independent
					Secretary-General of the GPC. He was in office during the 1986 United States bombing.
	6	Abdul Razzaq as-Sawsa		1933–2016	7 October 1990	18 January 1992	1 year, 103 days	Independent
					Secretary-General of the GPC.
	7	Muhammad az-Zanati		born 1937	18 January 1992	3 March 2008	16 years, 45 days	Independent
					Secretary-General of the GPC.
	8	Miftah Muhammed K'eba		born 1947	3 March 2008	5 March 2009	1 year, 2 days	Independent
					Secretary-General of the GPC.
	9	Imbarek Shamekh		born 1952	5 March 2009	26 January 2010	327 days	Independent
					Secretary-General of the GPC. He was also a Prime Minister before this role.
	10	Mohamed Abu al-Qasim al-Zwai		born 1952	26 January 2010	23 August 2011	1 year, 209 days	Independent
					Secretary-General of the GPC. He was in office during the First Civil War and the foreign military intervention. He was removed during the Battle of Tripoli.
Transitional Period (2011–present)
	11	Mustafa Abdul Jalil		born 1952	5 March 2011	8 August 2012	1 year, 156 days	Independent
					Chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC). He led a rebel group until August 2011, based in Benghazi.
	—	Mohammed Ali Salim		1935–2022	8 August 2012	9 August 2012	1 day	Independent
					Acting President of the General National Congress (GNC). He was a temporary leader during the change of power from the NTC.
	12	Mohammed Magariaf		born 1940	9 August 2012	28 May 2013	292 days	National Front Party
					President of the GNC. He resigned because of a new law about political roles.
	—	Giuma Ahmed Atigha		born 1950	28 May 2013	25 June 2013	28 days	Independent
					Acting President of the GNC.
	13	Nouri Abusahmain		born 1956	25 June 2013	5 April 2016	2 years, 285 days	Independent
					President of the GNC. His government was based in Tripoli. Other countries recognized him 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 Supreme Court later said the 2014 elections were not valid.
	—	Abu Bakr Baira		born 1941	4 August 2014	5 August 2014	1 day	Independent
					Acting President of the House of Representatives (HoR). He was a temporary leader during the change of power from the GNC.
	14	Aguila Saleh Issa		born 1944	5 August 2014	15 March 2021	6 years, 222 days	Independent
					President of the HoR. His government was based in Tobruk. Other countries recognized him until March 2016.
After the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord (GNA) started, the government was still split. The HoR and another group called the National Salvation Government (NSG) were in conflict. However, the High Council of State in Tripoli recognized the GNA.
	15	Fayez al-Sarraj		born 1960	30 March 2016	15 March 2021	4 years, 350 days	Independent
					Chairman of the Presidential Council. He was also the Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA). He was recognized by other countries and based in Tripoli.
	16	Mohamed al-Menfi		born 1976	15 March 2021	Incumbent	4 years, 101 days	Independent
					Chairman of the Presidential Council. He is recognized by other countries and based in Tripoli.

Timeline of Leaders

Future Elections

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