A 1969 military coup led by a 27-year-old officer transformed Libya's future
A bloodless coup orchestrated by a group of young military officers permanently ended the Libyan monarchy and introduced a radical new political ideology that would dominate the nation for over four decades.
On September 1, 1969, a 27-year-old signals officer named Muammar Gaddafi led a daring, bloodless coup to overthrow King Idris I while the monarch was abroad for medical treatment. The young 'Free Officers' quickly seized key communications hubs and government buildings, declaring a republic before the morning was over.
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