Libya – Jamahiriya year 1984 stamps Water Sports set

Libya – Jamahiriya year 1984 stamps Water Sports MNH

“Libya Jamahiriya” refers to the official name of Libya during the rule of Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi, who came to power in 1969 through a military coup, implemented a unique political system known as Jamahiriya, which translates to “state of the masses.”

Under the Jamahiriya system, Gaddafi aimed to create a decentralized form of government where political power was theoretically held by the people themselves through various local councils known as Basic People’s Congresses. Gaddafi’s Green Book, a collection of his political thoughts, served as the ideological basis for this system.

In practice, however, Gaddafi maintained tight control over the country through his regime and security apparatus, with little room for genuine democracy or political pluralism. Despite the rhetoric of popular empowerment, the Libyan government under Gaddafi was authoritarian and repressive, with dissent often met with harsh punishment.

The term “Jamahiriya” was officially added to Libya’s name in 1977, when the country was renamed the “Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.” This name persisted until Gaddafi’s regime was overthrown during the Libyan Civil War in 2011. After Gaddafi’s downfall, the country transitioned into a period of instability and conflict, with various factions vying for power and control.