Standing triumphantly at the dawn of a new chapter of Libyan history, is an N.C . State alum.

Last Monday, Libya’s National Transition Council selected Abdurrahim el-Keib , a relative underdog in Libyan politics, to be the nation’s interim prime minister.

El-Keib graduated from N.C . State’s College of Engineering with a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering in 1984.

It may be difficult to draw the connection between electrical engineering and a position in politics, but Joe Profeta , senior in electrical engineering, sees it as a natural fit.

“Electrical engineering is a vast discipline where you learn diverse information and meet many different types of people,” Profeta said. “The projects you undertake give you leadership and problem solving skills.”

El-Keib will soon be using every skill he has, as he will be instrumental in getting the fragile state of Libya back on its feet. He and his cabinet will construct a new constitution, one stable enough for Libyans to use for hundreds of years in the future.

El-Keib spend 40 years in the United States attending State and the University of Southern California and teaching at the University of Alabama for more than 20 years. Afterward, he returned to Libya to lend a hand in the ongoing revolution, which led him to a rapid rise to power.

Once in Libya, Dr. el-Keib became heavily involved in the counter-Gadhafi uprising and established himself as a leader among the citizens demanding freedom. With Gadhafi’s death effectively ending the revolution, el-Keib joined several other candidates to bid for the spot as interim prime minister.   

In Monday’s election, el-Keib received 26 votes, barely the majority of the total of 51. He now faces a daunting task, as he must deal with a delicate country that is recovering from constant bloodshed and horrific destruction for the last eight months. 

El-Keib will serve the position until early next summer when true elections will occur in Libya for the first time in over 40 years. The elections will put in place a congress to develop and build a permanent constitution. 

Ben Redmond, senior in electrical engineering, was surprised by the news but also proud to hear it.

“It is great for the school,” Redmond said. “It just goes to show you that N.C . State is continuing to produce world class citizens and major players in global affairs.”