Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who failed to win a second term as African Union chairman, now eyes a similar post at the League of Arab states. At a press conference Gaddafi called at midnight, he told reporters he is now preparing to take over chairmanship of the Arab League.
Gaddafi tried to explain his importance in African affairs stating that Libya is going to host three summits to link the African continent with the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.
At the end of this year Libya is scheduled to host the Afro-Arab summit. The Libyan leader is also to host the Africa-European Union summit. Another summit is the Afro-Latin summit set for 2011.
But a European diplomat said: "This is Gaddafi’s attempt to shift the power of the continental organization to Tripoli." An East African Foreign Minister said Gaddafi’s failure to win another term as AU chairman is a relief for the continental body. "He may continue meddling here and there but I don’t think that would help both Africa and his country," he added.
After losing the African Union chairmanship Gaddafi was seen restless and irritated and called an emergency midnight press conference at the summit venue. Gaddafi blasted African leaders and dubbed the AU as a failed institution. "I am disappointed and all the African people disappointed because the AU failed to establish institutions to realise the unity of Africa," he said.
"There has been no notable achievement since the establishment of AU. I can’t see real concrete and tangible results." "I am a soldier of Africa and I will remain as a soldier at the fore front," he added.
He added that he is already "king of Kings" which he said is the highest position in Africa. "It’s enough to be a head of Kings," he said. Gaddafi had hoped to stay on for a second term to see through his plan for greater political and economic unification.
Source: Allafrica
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