Editing Muammar Gaddafi (section)

===Pan-Africanism, reconciliation and privatization: 1999–2011===

====Links with Africa and conflicts in the Arab League====
[[File:Muammar al-Gaddafi-30112006.jpg|thumb|upright|Gaddafi wearing an insignia showing the image of the African continent]]

During the final years of the 20th century, Gaddafi—frustrated by the failure of his pan-Arab ideals and the refusal of the Arab world to challenge the international air embargo imposed on Libya—increasingly rejected Arab nationalism in favour of [[pan-Africanism]], emphasizing Libya's African identity.{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=142|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=227}}<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Schneider |first=Howard |date=4 October 1998 |title=LIBYA'S GADHAFI SAYS HIS FUTURE IS AFRICAN |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/10/04/libyas-gadhafi-says-his-future-is-african/be1b8b48-3639-442b-8c64-e1aabd36cfe4/ |access-date=13 February 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828041925/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/10/04/libyas-gadhafi-says-his-future-is-african/be1b8b48-3639-442b-8c64-e1aabd36cfe4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 1998 interview, Gaddafi claimed that "the Arab world is finished" and expressed his wish for Libya to become a "black country."<ref name=":8" /> From 1997 to 2000, Libya initiated cooperative agreements or bilateral aid arrangements with 10 African states,{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=229}} and in 1999 joined the [[Community of Sahel–Saharan States]] (CEN–SAD).{{sfnm|1a1=St. John|1y=2008|1p=99|2a1=Kawczynski|2y=2011|2p=189}} In June 1999, Gaddafi visited Mandela in South Africa,{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=226}} and the following month attended the OAU summit in [[Algiers]], calling for greater political and economic integration across the continent and advocating the foundation of a [[United States of Africa]].{{sfn|St. John|2012|pp=227–228}} He became one of the founders of the [[African Union]] (AU), initiated in July 2002 to replace the OAU. At the opening ceremonies, he called for African states to reject conditional aid from the [[Developed country|developed]] world, a direct contrast to the message of South African President [[Thabo Mbeki]].{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=190|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=229}} There was speculation that Gaddafi wanted to become the AU's first chair, raising concerns within Africa that this would damage the Union's international standing, particularly with the West.{{sfn|Ramutsindela|2009|p=3}}

At the third AU summit, held in Tripoli, Libya, in July 2005, Gaddafi called for greater integration, advocating a single AU passport, a common defence system, and a single currency, using the slogan: "The United States of Africa is the hope."{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1pp=190–191|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=230}} His proposal for a Union of African States, a project originally conceived by Ghana's [[Kwame Nkrumah]] in the 1960s, was rejected at the 2001 Assembly of Heads of States and Government (AHSG) summit in Lusaka by African leaders who thought it "unrealistic" and "utopian".{{sfn|Martin|2002|p=280}} In June 2005, Libya joined the [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]] (COMESA).{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=231}} In March 2008 in Uganda, Gaddafi gave a speech once again urging Africa to reject foreign aid.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL17472166|title = Gaddafi says Africans must reject conditional aid|newspaper = Reuters|date = 17 March 2008|last1 = Kwera|first1 = Francis|access-date = 13 March 2021|archive-date = 14 July 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220714113120/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL17472166|url-status = live}}</ref> In August 2008, Gaddafi was proclaimed "[[King of Kings]]" by a committee of traditional African [[Tribal chief|leaders]];{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=188|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2pp=270–271}} they [[coronation|crowned]] him in February 2009, in a ceremony held in [[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia.{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=190|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=272}} That same month, Gaddafi was elected as the chairperson of the African Union, a position he retained for one year.{{sfnm|1a1=Ramutsindela|1y=2009|1p=1|2a1=Kawczynski|2y=2011|2p=190|3a1=St. John|3y=2012|3p=272}} In October 2010, Gaddafi apologized to African leaders for the historical enslavement of Africans by the [[Arab slave trade]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chiwanza|first=Takudzwa Hillary|title=Muammar Gaddafi Apologized for the Cruel Treatment of Africans During the Arab Slave Trade {{!}} The African Exponent.|url=https://www.africanexponent.com/post/6905-gaddadi-apologized-for-the-arab-slave-trade|access-date=21 December 2020|website=The African Exponent|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714113121/https://www.africanexponent.com/post/6905-gaddadi-apologized-for-the-arab-slave-trade|url-status=live}}</ref>

Meanwhile, Gaddafi continued to have testy relationships with most of his fellow Arab leaders. In the 2003 Arab League summit, Gaddafi was involved in a public verbal altercation with [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]], then the Crown Prince. Gaddafi accused Saudi Arabia of having made an "alliance with the devil" when it invited the US to intervene in the 1991 [[Gulf War]]. Abdullah responded that Gaddafi was a "liar" and an "agent of colonizers" and threatened Gaddafi that "your grave awaits you."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghabra |first=Shafeeq |date=9 March 2003 |title=An Arab House, Openly Divided |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2003/03/09/an-arab-house-openly-divided/a5cac861-a977-486b-bdee-4d657ec4a223/ |access-date=4 February 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Two weeks after the summit, Gaddafi allegedly plotted with the Emir [[Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani]] of [[Qatar]] to assassinate Abdullah.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Libya 'plotted to kill' Saudi Crown Prince |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/libya-plotted-to-kill-saudi-crown-prince-1.986510 |access-date=4 February 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075412/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/libya-plotted-to-kill-saudi-crown-prince-1.986510 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2017 |title=Qatar plotted to assassinate King Abdullah: Saudi Media Advisor |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/7931/Qatar-plotted-to-assassinate-King-Abdullah-Saudi-Media-Advisor |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=EgyptToday |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075408/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/7931/Qatar-plotted-to-assassinate-King-Abdullah-Saudi-Media-Advisor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title='UAE ruler's friend' ran Libyan plot to kill Saudi crown prince |language=fr |work=Middle East Eye édition française |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/fr/news/saudi-king-assassination-plot-planned-uae-citizen-1134806678 |access-date=4 February 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075413/https://www.middleeasteye.net/fr/news/saudi-king-assassination-plot-planned-uae-citizen-1134806678 |url-status=live }}</ref> The plot was overseen by Libyan intelligence chief [[Moussa Koussa]], Mohammed Ismail (a colonel in Gaddafi's military intelligence), and [[Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi]] (an American citizen and founder of [[American Muslim Council]]). The assassination conspiracy was foiled by Saudi intelligence with the help of the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tyler |first=Patrick E. |date=10 June 2004 |title=Two Said to Tell Of Libyan Plot Against Saudi |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/10/world/two-said-to-tell-of-libyan-plot-against-saudi.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/10/world/two-said-to-tell-of-libyan-plot-against-saudi.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Amoudi was sentenced to 23 years in prison in the US and stripped of his American citizenship. Ismail was arrested by Saudi Arabia, pardoned by Abdullah in 2005, and later acquired [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] citizenship due to his close ties with its ruler [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]].<ref name=":1" /> After the failure of the assassination plot, Gaddafi continued to discuss instigating a [[regime change]] in Saudi Arabia with multiple [[power broker]]s in the [[Persian Gulf]], including Qatar's Foreign Minister [[Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani]], [[Oman]]'s foreign minister [[Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah]], and Kuwaiti extremist preacher Hakem al-Mutairi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2017 |title=Former Qatari Emir conspired with Qaddafi against Saudi Arabia |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2017/06/08/Former-Qatari-Emir-conspired-with-Gaddafi-against-Saudi-Arabia |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075415/https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2017/06/08/Former-Qatari-Emir-conspired-with-Gaddafi-against-Saudi-Arabia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 May 2020 |title=Libya's Gaddafi sought to replace Saudi Arabia's ruling family |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/28858/leaked-phone-call-libyas-gaddafi-sought-to-replace-saudi-arabias-ruling-family/ |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en-US |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075414/https://www.theafricareport.com/28858/leaked-phone-call-libyas-gaddafi-sought-to-replace-saudi-arabias-ruling-family/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2020 |title=Gaddafi, extremist preacher discuss overthrowing Saudi, Kuwaiti governments: Audio |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/07/25/Gaddafi-extremist-preacher-discuss-overthrowing-Saudi-Kuwaiti-governments-Audio- |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075414/https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/07/25/Gaddafi-extremist-preacher-discuss-overthrowing-Saudi-Kuwaiti-governments-Audio- |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Gaddafi–Abdullah feud came into public view again in the [[2009 Arab League summit]] when Gaddafi accused Abdullah, who had become [[King of Saudi Arabia]] in 2005, of being created by Britain and protected by the US.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muammar Gaddafi accuses Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah of lying at Arab summit |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/qatar/5079290/Muammar-Gaddafi-accuses-Saudi-Arabias-King-Abdullah-of-lying-at-Arab-summit.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=www.telegraph.co.uk |date=30 March 2009 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/qatar/5079290/Muammar-Gaddafi-accuses-Saudi-Arabias-King-Abdullah-of-lying-at-Arab-summit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Alluding to their 2003 altercation, Gaddafi taunted Abdullah for ostensibly avoiding a confrontation with him for six years and quoted Abdullah's 2003 "grave awaits you" threat back at him before storming out of the meeting to visit a museum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 March 2009 |title=Libya's Gaddafi hurls insults at Saudi king |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/libyas-gaddafi-hurls-insults-at-saudi-king-20141031-9h9r.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://www.smh.com.au/world/libyas-gaddafi-hurls-insults-at-saudi-king-20141031-9h9r.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Abdullah also left the meeting hall in anger.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Libyan, Saudi leaders walk out of Arab Summit after a spat |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/qatar/libyan-saudi-leaders-walk-out-of-arab-summit-after-a-spat-1.60102 |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=gulfnews.com |date=30 March 2009 |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/qatar/libyan-saudi-leaders-walk-out-of-arab-summit-after-a-spat-1.60102 |url-status=live }}</ref> A Saudi official later claimed that Gaddafi and Abdullah had held a 30 minutes meeting at the sideline of the summit and that the "personal problem" between them was "over."<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2009 |title=Libyan, Saudi leaders 'make up' at Doha meeting |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20090331-libyan-saudi-leaders-make-doha-meeting- |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075413/https://www.france24.com/en/20090331-libyan-saudi-leaders-make-doha-meeting- |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Gaddafi had given weapons and money to the [[Houthi movement|Houthis]] to attack Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10021347.html|title=Mana'a and al-Ahmar received money from Gaddafi to shake security of KSA, Yemen|date=4 September 2011|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210080152/http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10021347.html|archive-date=10 February 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

====Rebuilding links with the West====
[[File:Muammar al-Gaddafi at the AU summit.jpg|thumb|left|Gaddafi at the AU summit]]
In 1999, Libya began secret talks with the British government to normalize relations.{{sfn|Vandewalle|2008a|p=215}} In 2001, Gaddafi publicly condemned the [[September 11 attacks]] on the US by [[al-Qaeda]], expressing sympathy with the victims and calling for Libyan involvement in the US-led [[War on Terror]] against militant Islamism.{{sfnm|1a1=Vandewalle|1y=2008a|1p=220|2a1=St. John|2y=2008|2p=101|3a1=Kawczynski|3y=2011|3p=176|4a1=St. John|4y=2012|4p=243}} His government continued suppressing domestic Islamism, at the same time as Gaddafi called for the wider application of ''sharia'' law.{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=254}} Libya also cemented connections with China and North Korea, being visited by Chinese President [[Jiang Zemin]] in April 2002.{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=235}} However, relations with China became strained in May 2006 due to a visit to Tripoli by Taiwanese President [[Chen Shui-bian]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 May 2006 |title=China blasts Libya over Taiwan president's visit |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2006-05-11-china-blasts-libya-over-taiwan-presidents-visit/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203104754/https://mg.co.za/article/2006-05-11-china-blasts-libya-over-taiwan-presidents-visit/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Koike |first=Yuriko |title=China's African mischief |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/10/3/chinas-african-mischief |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203104754/https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2011/10/3/chinas-african-mischief |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2006 |title=Taiwan's Chen stops over in Libya |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4760471.stm |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203104754/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4760471.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Influenced by the events of the [[Iraq War]], in December 2003, Libya renounced its possession of [[Weapon of mass destruction|weapons of mass destruction]], [[Disarmament of Libya|decommissioning its chemical and nuclear weapons programs]].{{sfnm|1a1=Vandewalle|1y=2006|1p=8|2a1=Vandewalle|2y=2008a|2p=217|3a1=Kawczynski|3y=2011|3pp=162, 184|4a1=St. John|4y=2012|4p=244|5a1=Kamel|5y=2016|5p=694}} Relations with the US improved as a result.{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1pp=178–179|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=245}} British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] visited Gaddafi in March 2004;{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1pp=240–241|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2pp=240–241}} the pair developed close personal ties.{{sfn|Zoubir|2009|p=412}} In 2003, Libya paid US$2.7 billion to the families of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing as it was the condition the US and UK had made for terminating the remaining UN sanctions. Libya continued to deny any role in the bombing.{{sfnm|1a1=Boyd-Judson|1y=2005|1p=91|2a1=St. John|2y=2008|2p=101}}<ref>{{cite book|title=The Europa World Year: Kazakhstan – Zimbabwe, Volume 2|page=2655|publisher=Routledge|quote=Secretary of the GPC, Shukri Muhammad Ghanem.... claimed that compensation was being paid to the families of the Lockerbie victims in order to 'buy peace' and avoid sanctions and that the country did not accept responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing}}</ref> In 2009, Gaddafi attempted to strong-arm global energy companies operating in Libya to cover Libya's settlement with the families of the victims of Lockerbie.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last1=Lichtblau |first1=Eric |last2=Rohde |first2=David |last3=Risen |first3=James |date=24 March 2011 |title=Shady Dealings Helped Qaddafi Build Fortune and Regime |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/world/africa/24qaddafi.html |access-date=5 March 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111448/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/world/africa/24qaddafi.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Vladimir Putin and Muammar Gaddafi.ogv|thumb|Video showing the meeting with Russian Prime Minister [[Vladimir Putin]] and Muammar Gaddafi, in 2008]]

In 2004, Gaddafi traveled to the headquarters of the [[European Union]] (EU) in [[Brussels]]—signifying improved relations between Libya and the EU—and the EU dropped its sanctions on Libya.{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=175|2a1=St. John|2y=2008|2p=101|3a1=St. John|3y=2012|3p=237}} As a strategic player in Europe's attempts to stem illegal migration from Africa,{{sfn|Zoubir|2009|p=408}} in October 2010, the EU paid Libya over €50&nbsp;million to stop African migrants passing into Europe; Gaddafi encouraged the move, saying that it was necessary to prevent the loss of European cultural identity to a new "Black Europe".{{sfnm|1a1=St. John|1y=2012|1p=274|2a1=Kamel|2y=2016|2p=684}} Gaddafi also completed agreements with the Italian government that they would invest in various infrastructure projects as reparations for past Italian colonial policies in Libya.{{sfn|Zoubir|2009|p=410}} Italian Prime Minister [[Silvio Berlusconi]] gave Libya an official apology in 2006, after which Gaddafi called him the "iron man" for his courage in doing so.{{sfn|Zoubir|2009|pp=410–411}} In August 2008, Gaddafi and Berlusconi signed a historic cooperation [[treaty]] in [[Benghazi]];<ref name="treaty">{{cite web |url=http://www.senato.it/parlam/leggi/09007l.htm |title=Ratifica ed esecuzione del Trattato di amicizia, partenariato e cooperazione tra la Repubblica italiana e la Grande Giamahiria araba libica popolare socialista, fatto a Bengasi il 30 August 2008 |language=it |publisher=[[Parliament of Italy]] press release |date=6 February 2009 |access-date=10 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618082911/http://www.senato.it/parlam/leggi/09007l.htm |archive-date=18 June 2009}}</ref><ref name="ansa">{{cite news |url=http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-09_109379246.html |publisher=[[Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|ANSA]] |title=Gaddafi to Rome for Historic Visit |date=10 June 2009 |access-date=10 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616155752/http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-06-09_109379246.html |archive-date=16 June 2009 }}</ref> under its terms, Italy would pay $5&nbsp;billion to Libya as compensation for its former [[Italian Libya|military occupation]]. In exchange, Libya would take measures to combat [[illegal immigration]] coming from its shores and boost investment in Italian companies.<ref name=ansa /><ref name="rep">{{cite news |newspaper=[[La Repubblica]] |url=http://www.repubblica.it/2008/05/sezioni/esteri/libia-italia/accordo-firmato/accordo-firmato.html |title=Italia-Libia, firmato l'accordo |language=it |date=30 August 2008 |access-date=10 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000538/http://www.repubblica.it/2008/05/sezioni/esteri/libia-italia/accordo-firmato/accordo-firmato.html |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>

After the US removed Libya from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in 2006,{{sfn|Kawczynski|2011|p=176}} Gaddafi nevertheless continued his anti-Western rhetoric. At the [[2008 Arab League summit]], held in Syria, he warned fellow Arab leaders that they could be overthrown and executed by the US like [[Saddam Hussein]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Uri |date=24 August 2011 |title=Qaddafi Warns Chuckling Arab Leaders in 2008 That Their End Is Near |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/watch-qaddafi-warn-laughing-arab-leaders-their-end-near/338775/ |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075415/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/watch-qaddafi-warn-laughing-arab-leaders-their-end-near/338775/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaddafi condemns Arab leaders |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2008/3/29/gaddafi-condemns-arab-leaders |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=22 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722161642/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2008/03/200861501453203859.html |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[Second Africa-South America Summit]], held in Venezuela in September 2009, he called for a military alliance across Africa and Latin America to rival NATO.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaddafi Proposed the Creation of a South Atlantic Military Alliance |website=MercoPress |date=28 September 2009 |url=http://en.mercopress.com/2009/09/28/gaddafi-proposed-the-creation-of-a-south-atlantic-military-alliance |access-date=13 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218192040/http://en.mercopress.com/2009/09/28/gaddafi-proposed-the-creation-of-a-south-atlantic-military-alliance |archive-date=18 February 2010 }}</ref> That same month he traveled to New York City and addressed the [[United Nations General Assembly]] for the first time on 23 September 2009, using it to condemn "Western aggression," and spoke for just over 90 minutes instead of the allotted 15.{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=276}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Neil |last=MacFarquhar |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/world/24nations.html |title=Libyan Leader Delivers a Scolding in U.N. Debut |date=23 September 2009 |access-date=28 June 2012 |website=The New York Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606071635/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/world/24nations.html |archive-date=6 June 2017 }}</ref> In the Spring of 2010, Gaddafi proclaimed ''jihad'' against Switzerland after Swiss police accused two of his family members of criminal activity in the country, resulting in the breakdown of bilateral relations.{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=274}}

Gaddafi allegedly financed [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] in the [[2007 French presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 March 2018 |title=French police hold ex-president Sarkozy over 'Gaddafi funding' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43469316 |access-date=4 February 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320180502/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43469316 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Matamoros |first=Cristina Abellan |date=20 March 2018 |title=Sarkozy funding scandal: what does it all mean? |url=https://www.euronews.com/2018/03/20/sarkozy-in-libya-case-what-does-it-all-mean- |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204080913/https://www.euronews.com/2018/03/20/sarkozy-in-libya-case-what-does-it-all-mean- |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2018 |title=Gaddafi relations haunt Sarkozy in 2007 campaign financing case |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180320-france-libya-sarkozy-gaddafi-relations-haunt-2007-campaign-financing-case-custody |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204080912/https://www.france24.com/en/20180320-france-libya-sarkozy-gaddafi-relations-haunt-2007-campaign-financing-case-custody |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2014 |title=Gaddafi funded 'mentally deficient' Sarkozy, interview claims |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20140128-france-sarkozy-gaddafi-campaign-funds-libya-television |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204080913/https://www.france24.com/en/20140128-france-sarkozy-gaddafi-campaign-funds-libya-television |url-status=live }}</ref> He also financed Austrian far-right politician [[Jörg Haider]] starting in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Martin A. |date=13 August 2000 |title=Ties That Bind Kadafi and Neo-Fascists |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-13-op-3534-story.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204080913/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-13-op-3534-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Austria investigates Haider links |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/8/3/austria-investigates-haider-links |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204080913/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/8/3/austria-investigates-haider-links |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaddafi backs 'friend' Haider |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/1343369/Gaddafi-backs-friend-Haider.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=www.telegraph.co.uk |date=16 June 2000 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204080913/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/1343369/Gaddafi-backs-friend-Haider.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Economic reform====
Libya's economy witnessed increasing [[privatization]]; although rejecting the socialist policies of nationalized industry advocated in ''The Green Book'', government figures asserted that they were forging "people's socialism" rather than capitalism.{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=250}} Gaddafi welcomed these reforms, calling for wide-scale privatization in a March 2003 speech;{{sfn|Vandewalle|2008a|p=224}} he promised that Libya would join the [[World Trade Organization]].{{sfn|St. John|2008|pp=101–102}} These reforms encouraged private investment in Libya's economy.{{sfn|Kamel|2016|p=697}} By 2004, there was US$40&nbsp;billion of direct foreign investment in Libya, a six-fold rise over 2003.{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=180|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=248}} Sectors of Libya's population reacted against these reforms with public demonstrations,{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=248}} and in March 2006, revolutionary hard-liners took control of the GPC cabinet; although scaling back the pace of the changes, they did not halt them.{{sfnm|1a1=Vandewalle|1y=2008a|1p=228|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2pp=249–250}} In 2010, plans were announced that would have seen half the Libyan economy privatized over the following decade,{{sfn|St. John|2012|pp=263–264}} these plans appear to have been soon abandoned however, as the companies that the government stated they were going to float on the stock market, among them the National Commercial Bank and the [[Libyan Iron and Steel Company]] were never floated and remained 100% state-owned. Many socialist policies remained however, with subsidiaries of logistics company HB Group being nationalized in 2007.{{sfnm|1a1=Cooley|1y=1983|1pp=467–489|2a1=Blundy|2a2=Lycett|2y=1987|2p=156|3a1=Sacerdoti|3a2=Acconci|3y=2011|3pp=312–313}} Agriculture remained largely untouched by the reforms, with farms remaining cooperatives, the [[Agricultural Bank of Libya]] remaining wholly state-owned and state interventionist policies and price controls remaining.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Oliveira|first=Ingrid|title=Libya|url=https://www.g-fras.org/es/world-wide-extension-study/africa/northern-africa/libya.html|access-date=13 January 2021|website=GFRAS|language=es|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714181011/https://www.g-fras.org/es/world-wide-extension-study/africa/northern-africa/libya.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The oil industry remained largely state-owned, with the wholly state-owned [[National Oil Corporation]] retaining a 70% share in Libya's oil industry, the government also imposed a 93% tax on all oil that foreign companies produced in Libya.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hargreaves|first=Steve|title=Libya oil eyed by Western companies|url=https://money.cnn.com/2011/10/25/news/international/libya_oil/index.htm|access-date=13 January 2021|website=CNNMoney|archive-date=27 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027213334/https://money.cnn.com/2011/10/25/news/international/libya_oil/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Price controls and subsidies over oil and food remained in place, and state-provided benefits such as free education, universal healthcare, free housing, free water and free electricity remained in place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gwaambuka|first=Tatenda|title=Ten Reasons Libya Under Gaddafi Was a Great Place to Live {{!}} The African Exponent.|url=https://www.africanexponent.com/post/ten-reasons-libya-under-gaddafi-was-a-great-place-to-live-2746|access-date=13 January 2021|website=The African Exponent|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714174056/https://www.africanexponent.com/post/ten-reasons-libya-under-gaddafi-was-a-great-place-to-live-2746|url-status=live}}</ref> Libya also changed its stance on the WTO after the removal of technocrat [[Shukri Ghanem]], with Gaddafi condemning the WTO as a neocolonial terrorist organisation, and urging African and Third World countries not to join it.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-africa-summit-idUKLDE6AS18N20101129|title = Gaddafi issues warning to EU over African trade|newspaper = Reuters|date = 29 November 2010|access-date = 24 May 2021|archive-date = 14 July 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220714174056/https://www.reuters.com/article/eu-africa-summit-idUKLDE6AS18N20101129|url-status = live}}</ref>

While there was no accompanying political liberalization, with Gaddafi retaining predominant control,{{sfn|Vandewalle|2008a|p=231}} in March 2010, the government devolved further powers to the municipal councils.{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=257}} Rising numbers of reformist technocrats attained positions in the country's governance; best known was Gaddafi's son and heir apparent [[Saif al-Islam Gaddafi]], who was openly critical of Libya's human rights record. He led a group who proposed the drafting of a new constitution, although it was never adopted.{{sfnm|1a1=Vandewalle|1y=2008a|1p=225|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2pp=249–269}} Involved in encouraging tourism, Saif founded several privately run media channels in 2008, but after criticizing the government, they were nationalized in 2009.{{sfn|Kawczynski|2011|pp=216, 227–228}}