Gaddafi Planned to Become 'Emperor' after Crushing Libyan Rebels

A file photo dated 24 July 2008 shows Saif al-Islam Muammar Gaddafi speaking in front of a giant poster showing his father, the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, at a gathering in Tripoli. EPA/BGNES

Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, whose regime is in a shambles, had plans to proclaim himself a king or an emperor in order to achieve consolidation after potentially crushing the Libyan rebels.

The evidence for his royalty plan was found in an internal document in the deserted office of the Libyan prime minister, DPA reports citing the London-based As-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper Sunday.

According to As-Sharq al Awsat the eight point-strategy document was among other papers which concerned the "conflict engulfing Libya," i.e. the six-month civil war.

The internal document, which dated back to July 15, 2011, set out a detailed program to mobilize Libya's tribes to re-establish the regime control of the country.

"When the suitable time comes all the tribal leaders and high ranking figures should come meet and proclaim Gaddafi a king or emperor," the document said, according to the paper.

The paper added that such a step would have allowed Gaddafi to hand over the so-called Libyan monarchy to one of his seven sons at a later stage.

Since Gaddafi took power in 1969 he has not held a formal position in the Libyan state and has always been referred to as the "Brother Leader" or "Leader of the Revolution." But on several occasions he has dubbed himself as "King of Kings."

On February 24, Gaddafi in a televised speeh after the nationwaide uprising had engulfed his country, compared himself to the Queen of England, DPA reminds.

"You need to listen to your parents. If people disobey their parents they end up destroying the country," he said. "The same case as in Britain where for 57 years the Queen has been ruling. I have been in the same situation,' he said as he addressed the nation."

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