Background
He was born on November 1942, at Zelia, a small town in the desert 120 miles south-east of Waddan, son of a Feddanese who married a woman from Chad.
He was born on November 1942, at Zelia, a small town in the desert 120 miles south-east of Waddan, son of a Feddanese who married a woman from Chad.
Educated locally, then at Tripoli. Entered the Military College in 1963 and commissioned with Qadafi on August 9, 1965.
Promoted lieutenant in August 1967, he remained in close contact with Qadafi and helped in the preparations for the coup which dethroned King Idris on September 1, 1969. At the time of the revolution he was taking a course in English at the English Language Centre in Tripoli. After the bloodless coup the names of the revolutionary leaders were kept secret but when a list of the RCC was published he was listed second after Qadafi.
Since the revolution his first priority has been to make sure the strength and loyalty of the armed forces remain at their maximum potential while Jalloud takes charge of the day-to-day responsibilities of government. On the big issues such as union with Egypt he plays a significant role in discussions with the Egyptians as he demonstrated at the meetings on September 18, 1972, which led to the signing of the agreement between Qadafi and Sadat.
As the only other member of the Revolutionary Command Council alongside Qadafi with the rank of lieutenant colonel he has a seniority easily recognisable in the way he is treated when other RCC members are present. He is a soldier’s officer, in touch with the units under his command and able to keep a tight grip on the security services.