Nicolas Sarkozy
President of France (2007–2012); key architect of NATO intervention
"Our duty is to protect civilian populations from the murderous madness of a regime that has forfeited all legitimacy."
Biography
Nicolas Sarkozy was the most aggressive advocate for NATO intervention in Libya, moving faster than his British and American counterparts to recognize the rebel National Transitional Council and push for military action. French Rafale jets fired the first shots of the NATO campaign on March 19, 2011. Sarkozy's motivations were mixed: genuine humanitarian concern, a desire to reassert French leadership in the Middle East and North Africa after being embarrassed by his government's initial support for Tunisia's Ben Ali, and the geopolitical prize of influence in Libya's oil sector. His decisive action was widely praised at the time.
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Key Battles
NATO Intervention Begins
GNA / UN-Recognized Government victoryMarch 19, 2011 · 100 total casualties
Fall of Tripoli
GNA / UN-Recognized Government victoryAugust 20–28, 2011 · 2,500 total casualties
Life Journey
Timeline
January 28, 1955
🌅 Birth
Born in Paris
May 2007
📍 Posting
Elected President of France
March 19, 2011
⚔️ Battle
French jets fire first shots of NATO intervention
May 2012
🕊️ Postwar
Loses re-election to Francois Hollande
March 2021
🕊️ Postwar
Convicted of corruption and influence-peddling; sentenced to prison