Gadhafi storms out of summit

CNN.Com / World ^ | Saturday, May 22, 2004 Posted: 5:36 PM EDT (2136 GMT) | Associated Press

[Bobby777]

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) -- Arab leaders convened their annual summit Saturday to discuss condemning terrorism, reiterating calls for Arab-Israeli peace and putting Arab nations on the road to political and economic reforms advocated by the United States.

But the opening session was overshadowed by the walkout of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who criticized peace efforts and threatened to pull his country out of the 22-member Arab League.

"What's the significance of this Arab gathering?" Gadhafi said before packing up and leaving Tunis. "How can this summit convene while there are two Arab presidents in jail? I am disgusted."

Gadhafi was referring to Saddam Hussein and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who has been holed up in his West Bank headquarters for more than two years, besieged by Israeli forces.

Gadhafi left while Arab League head Amr Moussa was speaking. Diplomats said the Libyan leader apparently was irked by Moussa's criticism of Arabs who act unilaterally -- a veiled reference to Libya's decision to renounce programs pursuing weapons of mass destruction.

Gadhafi also skipped Saturday's closed-door session, where Arab leaders reviewed resolutions addressing the turmoil in their region.

[Bobby777]

. "How can this summit convene while there are two Arab presidents in jail? I am disgusted."

Gadhafi was referring to Saddam Hussein and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who has been holed up in his West Bank headquarters for more than two years, besieged by Israeli forces.

ah, the colonel returns to form ... I was just beginning to doubt ... he does not disappoint ... (so to speak) ...

[Bobby777]

Ezek 36:24 - Israel to return to homeland
Ezek 37 - Israel has returned to homeland
Ezek 38:5 - Iran, Libya, et al attack Israel

[My2Cents]

Gadhafi was probably encouraged by the negative press in this country, constantly attacking our policy in Iraq.

[JRandomFreeper]

"How can this summit convene while there are two Arab presidents in jail? I am disgusted."

And probably afraid of being #3. We almost gotcha, Ghadhafi. How's the leg?

/john

[Bobby777]

Western relations with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi have been improving in recent months.

[xJones]

Gadhafi was probably encouraged by the negative press in this country, constantly attacking our policy in Iraq.

I'll agree with you. Gadhafi was on Bush's side earlier this year, but now he's trying to guess which side to bet on with the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

[Humidston]

Gadhafi has been listening to the rats, led by Kerry, Kennedy, and Pelosi, ripping our president to shreds on a daily basis.

Guess he figures he has no reason to fear us anymore.

[no dems]

EXACTLY. I knew he wasn't a mister nice guy. Even though when Ronnie bombed his butt he cooled his jets and they still haven't warmed back up. How I miss President Reagan.

[sgtbono2002]

My vote is to make Ghadagy number 3.

[sgtbono2002]

My vote is to make Ghadafy number 3.

[sgtbono2002]

My vote is to make Ghadafy number 3.

[WKB]

"How can this summit convene while there are two Arab presidents in jail? I am disgusted."



Correction Disgusted should be disgusting

[billhilly]

It would be interesting to find out how many freepers have been to Lybia, when, and under what circumstances.

As for me, I was there from July 1956 until February, 1958, before King Idris lost his throne to Gadhafi, and before Lybia brought in its first oilfield, with western help.

[Bobby777]

yep ... with Khadafy weeping for Saddam and Yasser, and mad that the other Arab nations aren't doing anything about it, I'd say he hasn't changed one bit ... I was afraid I was being a bit pessimistic, but something about him "coming clean" with the USA on WMD just doesn't smell right ... maybe I'm wrong ...

[reagan_fanatic]

If the Arabs would just show they were capable of taking care of their own affairs and dealing effectively with their own problems, there would be no need for an outside force to come in and do it for them.

[Bobby777]

LOL ...

[Bobby777]

sounds like you know some things ... tell us more ...

[smokeyb]

"How can this summit convene while there are two Arab presidents in jail? I am disgusted."

How about we chance the site of the summit ? You and the rest of you can come to the prison where Sadaam is lodging.

[Khurkris]

"I tell you what...That Qaddafi guy shore walked outta there after talkin' darn stiff to the rest of them...but he was sure as hell the best dressed one of them camel jockies at that there meetin'. He left that there con-ference in a brown sheet looked like it was warshed with some old socks. Next time I saw him he was wearin' a white sport coat with a chest fulla medals like my Uncle Elvin who spent some time with the French during WWII."" - attributed to Del Roy Fontaine, reporter at large.

Del Roy is available for your over seas reportage needs.