History of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi passports for travel to Libya, and in March 1982, the U.S. declared a ban on the import of Libyan oil. Gaddafi reportedly spent hundreds of millions of the government's money on training and arming Sandinistas in Nicaragua. Daniel Ortega, the President of Nicaragua, was his ally. In April 1984, Libyan refugees in London protested against execution of two dissidents. Communications intercepted by MI5 show that Tripoli ordered its diplomats to direct violence against the demonstrators. Libyan diplomats shot at 11 people and killed British policewoman Yvonne Fletcher. The incident led to the breaking off of diplomatic relations between the United
1984 Libyan hostage incident envoy Terry Waite", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo" "Premier to see families of 3 held", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 15 October 1984 "Woman plea to Gaddafi", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 18 September 1984 "Morris to help", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 12 September 1984 "Desperate plea", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 3 September 1984 1984 Libyan hostage incident The Libyan hostage situation began on the morning of the murder of WPC Fletcher, 17 April 1984 and lasted until 5 February 1985 (294 days). In accordance with the hostage release agreement, reporting on the incident was restricted until the fall of Gadaffi in 2011.