The Standard Online Edition: "He has been the de facto leader of Libya since a 1969 coup. Although Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi holds no public office or title, he is accorded the honorific ‘Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya’ or ‘Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution’ in government statements and the official press.
As one of the continent’s longest-serving, post-colonial heads of state, the Libyan leader enjoys a reputation among many Africans as an experienced and wise statesman. Many Africans also regard him as a humanitarian, as he pours large amounts of money into sub-Saharan states. While decrying the World Trade Centre bombings in 2001 Gaddafi said, 'Irrespective of the conflict with America, it is a human duty to show sympathy with the American people and be with them at these horrifying and awful events which are bound to awaken human conscience.' "
As one of the continent’s longest-serving, post-colonial heads of state, the Libyan leader enjoys a reputation among many Africans as an experienced and wise statesman. Many Africans also regard him as a humanitarian, as he pours large amounts of money into sub-Saharan states. While decrying the World Trade Centre bombings in 2001 Gaddafi said, 'Irrespective of the conflict with America, it is a human duty to show sympathy with the American people and be with them at these horrifying and awful events which are bound to awaken human conscience.' "