The new government categorically rejected communism – in large part because it was atheist – and officially espoused an Arab interpretation of socialism that integrated Islamic principles with social, economic, and political reform. Libya had shifted, virtually overnight, from the camp of conservative Arab traditionalist states to that of the radical nationalist states.
The new government outright rejected communism, primarily because it was atheist, and publicly supported a socialist ideology based on Arab values that integrated Islamic principles with social, economic, and political reforms. Libya rapidly shifted its stance from being aligned with conservative Arab traditionalist nations to supporting radical nationalist states.