Gadhafi Hijacks Spotlight at U.N.

United Nations Gadhafi In 90-Minute Address Libyan Leader Refers to Security Council as Group of Terrorists..

by CBS/AP

Published: Wed, September 23, 2009 - 12:56 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, September 23, 2009 - 12:59 pm CST

New York - (CBS/ AP) In his address to the General Assembly of the United Nations today, Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi railed against the Security Council, saying it should be called the "Terrorism Council" because the countries with permanent seats are not democratically elected and use their power to "terrorize" developing nations.

After briefly congratulating President Barack Obama on his first United Nations appearance as president, Gadhafi launched into an attack of the United Nations charter and the makeup of the Security Council, saying the institutions are outdated and unfair. The Libyan president said the U.N.'s General Assembly was "like a décor" for the permanent members of the Security Council.

The five permanent members of the Security Council are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. All five hold veto powers. There are an additional 10 rotating members on the Security Council, including Libya, whose membership ends this year.

"This is terrorism," Gadhafi said through a translator. "Anyone who says 'I am higher than the General Assembly' should leave and be alone."

Gadhafi praised Mr. Obama as "a son of Africa" and said the world would be happy if Obama remained president forever.

"You are the beginning of a change," the Libyan leader said. "Obama is a glimpse in the dark."

In addition to suggesting that the U.N. charter be re-written, Gadhafi proposed that meetings of the General Assembly be moved from New York to a country in the eastern hemisphere. He said this would help relieve some of the jet-lag the leaders feel traveling to New York and also free the United States from the security issues surrounding General Assembly meetings.

"Perhaps America will be targeted again, perhaps by a rocket and tons of heads of state will die," Gadhafi said, explaining his proposal.

His speech followed President Obama's first General Assembly address, but not before a recess of some 15 minutes was called by the Libyan president of the General Assembly so diplomats could take new seats.

Gadhafi, introduced as the "king of kings" by assembly president Ali Treki, remained in his seat for long after the introduction.

The U.S. Mission was represented by two low- to mid-ranking diplomats. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice departed before Gadhafi ascended the podium.

After waiting for the room to be settled, Gadhafi rose and swept his robe over him and strode to the stage, using the handrail on his way up. He wore a shiny black pin in the shape of Africa pinned over his heart, on his brown and tan Bedouin robes.

Gadhafi laid the yellow folder in front of him and opened some of the handwritten pages as he received scattered applause.

The chamber was half-empty as Gadhafi gave his first speech and held a copy of the U.N. Charter in his hands, each with a large, shiny ring. For a moment, it seemed he lost his place in his speech while he sorted through the pages of his yellow folder.

He appeared to be speaking without a text, looking at a set of notes before him on handwritten pages. He was not reading from the TelePrompTer.

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ickthus Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 2:24 pm

sounds like dahafi needs another jdam in his tent. what a scumbag.

BamaBeachBum Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 1:49 pm

What scrares me the most is the fact that all of these dictators from all over the globe praise Obama, and say he is a “glimpse in the dark”, or a “great leader”. I don’t think it’s healthy for our country, that all of the worlds dictators think our president is so great. I’d rather the great democratic leaders of the world say these things, instead of the crazy people of the world.