Mustafa Abdul Jalil facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mustafa Abdul Jalil
مصطفى عبد الجليل
Abdul Jalil in 2011
Chairman of the National Transitional Council
In office 5 March 2011 – 8 August 2012
Prime Minister	Mahmoud Jibril Ali Tarhouni (Acting) Abdurrahim El-Keib
Vice President	Abdul Hafiz Ghoga Mustafa Honi
Preceded by	Muammar Gaddafi (Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution) Mohamed Abu al-Qasim al-Zwai (Secretary General of General People's Congress)
Succeeded by	Mohammed Ali Salim (Acting President of the General National Congress)
Secretary of the Libyan General Committee for Justice
In office 10 January 2007 – 21 February 2011
Prime Minister	Baghdadi Mahmudi
Leader	Muammar Gaddafi
Preceded by	Ali Omar al-Hasnawi
Succeeded by	Muhammad Ahmed al-Qamoudi (Secretary of the Libyan General Committee for Justice) Ali Ashour (Minister of Justice)
Personal details
Born	1952 (age 72–73) Beida, Kingdom of Libya
Political party	Independent
Alma mater	University of Libya

Mustafa Abdul Jalil (Arabic: مصطفى عبد الجليل; born in 1952) is a Libyan politician. He was the leader of the National Transitional Council (NTC) from March 2011 to August 2012. During this time, he was the de facto (meaning "in practice") head of state of Libya. This happened after the government of Muammar Gaddafi fell during the Libyan Civil War. He led the country until a new government, the General National Congress, took over.

Before the civil war, Abdul Jalil worked as Muammar Gaddafi's Minister of Justice. This role was officially called the Secretary of the General People's Committee of Justice. He was known for speaking out against human rights issues in Libya.

Early Life and Career

Mustafa Abdul Jalil studied Shari'a and Law at the University of Libya. He graduated in 1975. After that, he worked as an assistant to the Public Prosecutor in Beida. In 1978, he became a judge.

Abdul Jalil was known as a judge who often made decisions against the government. In 2007, he became the Minister of Justice. In January 2010, he tried to resign on television. He was unhappy that the government was not releasing political prisoners. However, his resignation was not accepted. He finally resigned on 21 February 2011. This happened after he was sent to Benghazi to help release hostages. He was the first high-ranking official to leave Gaddafi's government during the protests.

Secret US diplomatic messages, made public by WikiLeaks, described him as open and helpful. After he resigned, a reward of 500,000 dinars (about 400,000 US dollars) was offered for his capture.

His Views and Actions

Before the 2011 Protests

In 2010, groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International praised Abdul Jalil. They noted that he strongly opposed arrests and detention without trial. He publicly criticized security agencies for holding prisoners even after courts said they should be freed. He also said he could not investigate abuses by security officers because they had special protection.

During the 2011 Civil War

During the Libyan Civil War, Abdul Jalil was sent to Benghazi. He was meant to negotiate with rebels. On 21 February, a newspaper reported he resigned because of the government's violence against protesters. The next day, he told a Swedish newspaper he had proof that Gaddafi ordered the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. He has not yet shown this proof.

On 24 February, Abdul Jalil met with other opposition leaders in Beida. He stated there would be no talks with Gaddafi. He called for Gaddafi to step down right away.

On 5 March, Abdul Jalil said he had contacts with European and Arab countries. He believed some countries would soon recognize the National Transitional Council. On 9 March, he asked for a no-fly zone over Libya. This would stop Gaddafi's planes from flying.

As the Battle of Tripoli ended, Abdul Jalil announced elections would happen in eight months. He also said Gaddafi and his sons would be tried in Libya. Then, they would be sent to The Hague for trial at the International Criminal Court.

Forming a New Government

On 24 February 2011, opposition leaders met in Beida. Abdul Jalil led this meeting. They talked about creating a temporary government. They emphasized that Libya should remain united. They also said that Tripoli is the country's capital. Many people at the meeting asked for the United Nations to get involved in Libya. They used the old flag of the Kingdom of Libya at the meeting.

On 25 February, news reported that talks were happening to form an interim government. This government would be for the time after Gaddafi. On 26 February, it was said that Abdul Jalil was leading this effort. The new government would be based in Benghazi. Abdul Jalil said Gaddafi was responsible for the crimes in Libya. He also stressed that Libya must stay united. The Libyan ambassador to the United States supported these efforts.

The members of the new interim government were planned to be announced on 27 February. Some positions would be left open for areas still controlled by Gaddafi. This temporary government aimed to stay in power for three months. After that, elections would be held. The new government would include both civilians and military members.

Abdul Jalil was named the head of the National Transitional Council when it was officially formed on 5 March 2011.

See also

In Spanish: Mustafa Abdul Jalil para niños

• General People's Committee of Libya