Libya as a whole enjoyed higher living standards than any other country in Africa as well as the fast developing nation of Brazil. Challenges to a Dollar-backed "world currency" as well as a region rich in light, sweet crude(easier to refine) are not well-tolerated by the US and its allies.
The US has never gotten into a war over humanitarian reasons. If it did, we would've overthrown the Saudis immediately after we went into Afghanistan. The women in both countries are treated the same, and the Morality Police in S.A are no different than the Taliban. Rwanda would've been prevented, or at least halted. Even in WW2, the US did not move in when millions in Europe were being systematically slaughtered.
The US only moves in when the Dollar and oil supply are threatened, or when the Israeli and Evangelical lobbies demand it.