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Latest update: 07/03/2011
- Libya - Muammar Gaddafi - Popular revolt
Gaddafi insists al Qaeda is to blame for chaos and killings
In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi repeated his claim that al Qaeda was responsible for plunging the country into chaos and denied media reports of mass killings.
Al Qaeda is responsible for the violent uprising in Libya, but Western media has overstated the extent of the political crisis and its casualties, leader Muammar Gaddafi told FRANCE 24's Khalil Beshir in an exclusive interview on Sunday.
“There have been at most 150 to 200 people killed. People should come here and see how many people have been killed. They can come and check among the population, and among the police and the army,” a seemingly collected Gaddafi explained.
Dressed in a long tunic and matching brown headscarf, Gaddafi insisted that international media reports were overlooking the broad support his government enjoys and were misleading people about the events in the country.
At times he appeared to harbour resentment for the criticism and sanction from international leaders. “Libya has very good relations with the United States, with the European Union and with African countries, and Libya plays a crucial role in regional and world peace,” Gaddafi told FRANCE 24.
In characteristic fashion Gaddafi sprinkled odd comparisons in his responses. He likened the clampdown on dissidents to what he called Israel’s crackdown of al Qaeda terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
“Even the Israelis in Gaza, when they moved into the Gaza strip, they moved in with tanks to fight such extremists. It’s the same thing here! We have small armed groups who are fighting us. We did not use force from the outset… Armed units of the Libyan army have had to fight small armed al Qaeda bands. That is what’s happened.”
In a monotone voice he repeatedly returned to his argument that al Qaeda was responsible for instigating the violence. But his attention peaked when the interview turned to the situation in Benghazi, the country's second largest city now under rebel control.
Asked what he thought about France possible recognition of the rebel National Libyan Council that has been organized in Benghazi, Gaddafi shot back “That’s ridiculous: interfering in the domestic affairs of a country. If we were to interfere in what is happening in Corsica and Sardinia, how would [France and Italy] react?”
But he also tried to downplay Benghazi’s self-declared independence and the crisis that has rocked his regime. “These armed terrorists in Benghazi, including members of al Qaeda, did not have clear political demands,” he said.
Gaddafi rejected the idea Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez would play a mediating role between him and the National Libyan Council: “There is no problem here. This mediation does not exist for the moment. What we need is to get rid of these armed gangs.”
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Comments (28)
He was right
HA! Well, wasn't he?
libya
sponsored uprings against gaddafi is the secret work of usa to revenge and crush the regime to advance they interests as it were in iraq.. yes you have won but vengence is the lords
Benedict XVI also blamed the Devil for pedophile priests
Like Gaddafi, Benedict XVI, the dictator of the Roman Catholic Church also blamed the Devil - somebody else - except himself - read the article here http://pope-ratz.blogspot.com/2010/06/eve-and-benedict-xvi-blame-devil.html
ghadafi is wright
why u terror u a doing this tio gadaf.the worrior of africa
Lybia
Im beginning to wonder if maybe everybody wants a piece of the pie here....while Nato is sitting on their hands people are dying, children are scared. If Nato really wanted Gadaffi to step down they would of done it a long time ago. At first they waited for a warrant for him and his sons arrest for "War Crimes", nobody is arresting him, they bomb everywhere but where he is...what the heck!!...you really think people are not catching on, Please end this horrible travesty we are humans all of us, we all bleed red. Never mind your govt red tape, you went after Sadaam found him in a hole and executed him, Gadaffi and everyother Dictator on this planet must leave or diel.
IS TIME FOR GADAFI TO STANDOWN
We appreciate the gud deeds gadafi has done for his country,we equaly be great for him to stand down for the sake of the libian citizens.
gadaffi
hey.external bodies should allow Col Gadaffi to settle his country's problem personally as a leader
libyan crises
i do not know why african leaders are so self centered ,they don't care about their citizen .how can u be a leader for 42 years and refuse to leave. infact i don't know what to say .May God help us.
Rejection of Libyan refegees by th Italian Government.
I commend the Europian Union for taking a unanimous decisions on Gaddafi to step down in the interest of Democracy.But what puzzled me this morning is that; when I opened my radio to listen to BBc, I was very much disappointed to have heard that Italian Government have rejected the poor refegees that were in route to Italy for refuge.I believed that the ideas on Democracy originated from the westerners. If the other people are struggling for democracy in the name of freedom as they termed it to be, the westerners should also support them in this process by showing concern to accept them in their country.But if they are rejected during the time of struggles for Democracy,than you are misleading them to distroy the country and create animosity for themselves.
gadaffi
i support the fight for freedom where ever it is. this time its libya. it could be in your classroom or the office. deep in peoples hearts ever one does. we all ignore the wishes of othrs. its a human failing. gadaffi has forgotten why he is there. its to serve the people. he is holding a years wages of every man woman an child in libya.the people are hungry may he go in peace
Who do you believe?
What if some years down the road, we find out there was another "Curve Ball" as in the Iraqi Chemist, Mummaar was telling the truth? Just an irony!
libya crises
me i tend to think that those US and UK SHOULD LEAVE AFRICA A
LONE WE ARE INDEPENDENT WE ARE NOT DEPENDENT
Rebles in Libya
I thank who ever is coming in to safe the country of Libya. Im disturbed with international community which is in suport of rebles against the Gvnt of Libya. Whatever is happening to Libya can happen to the so called super powers. Let international community respect other human beings. Where does these super powers get powers to freez the Libyan wealth, a sovereign state.
The proper aganda done by Americans is completely open and its our prayer the leader, brother Gadhafi defeats the enemy and may Allah protect our bloved leader Col Muamar Gadhafi.
really he is crazy
really he is crazy
libyan crisis
The first world nation are responsible for libyan crisis because it is on record that US and its allied are looking for opportunity like this they should live african leaders alone.
News
News
maybe gaddafi is right...
...i think it's amazing how people totally swallow the western news medias interpretations of this story without once stopping to question whether they are being told the truth. first of all: how does a civilian protest become so sophisticated in two weeks that they can take over 80 percent of the country's oil and repel the army? how did a bunch of lawyers and doctors get the capability to fire anti-aircraft missiles for god's sake!
i think we should at least concede that there is something fishy about this "revolution." or you can just chose to believe everything you read on the NY Times and CNN.
Introducing the Libyan Interim Transitional National Council
Introducing the Libyan Interim Transitional National Council of Libyan Republic
This is the only legitimate representative of the all Libyan people. The council derives it legitimacy from the decisions of local councils set up by the revolutionary people of Libya on the 17th of February. These local councils facilitated a mechanism to manage daily life in the liberated cities and villages. The council consists of thirty one members representing the various cities of Libya from the east to the west and from the north to the south. The aim of the Transitional National Council is to steer Libya during the interim period that will come after its complete liberation and the destruction of Gaddafi’s oppressive regime. It will guide the country to free elections, democracy and the establishment of a constitution for Libya.
The Council members representing all Libyan cities. Few have not been disclosed due to security reasons. The council has nominated representatives from most Libyan cities and regions including Tripoli.`
The Council notes that it is the only legitimate body representing the people of Libya and the Libyan state and calls on all the countries of the world to recognise it and deal with it on the basis of international legitimacy. The Council also notes that it will honour and respect all international and regional agreements signed by the former Libyan government, emphasizing its aspirations in seeing Libya play a significant role in the establishing international peace and security.
The Council also stresses that the heads of envoys and Libya’s representatives in the UN, the Arab League and all international and regional organisations, and our embassies and diplomatic missions who have joined this revolution are the legitimate representatives of this Council in these places. Most Libyan diplomatics have transferred their affiliation with this Council.
The Council will seek to maintain peace and security in the liberated cities with all its strength. It will also plan and work towards liberating the remaining cities still kidnapped by the tyrant Mu’ammar Gaddafi and his gang. Here, we call on all the people of the world to participate in achieving these lofty goals through the commitment to the noble Libyan ethics and by prioritising our country before the self.
Long live Libya free and dignified.
At this critical time for the people of Libya we call for all the world, Countries, International organisations and institutions must recognise the Libyan Interim Transitional National Council of Libyan Republic
transcending terrorism
Is it not time to overcome the military causes of terrorism in the Middle East via progressive rationale between Middle Eastern states Colonel Gaddafi? Does that not require open accountable political systems? No amount of military power can transform animus into amity, nor can it open the doors of systemic rationale between states on universal issues.
If you care for Libya, Libyans and the Middle East, as you profess Colonel Gaddafi, does not applying 'terrorism' for a raison d'etat undermine your love? I thought the measure of a great leader is the ability to respect the future of his people and act accordingly. However you seem to be instilling terrorism for the Libyans' future rather than amity and greater well-being.
To Frank Lee
Frank, did you not just contradict yourself?
Al-Qaeda
Has anyone actually attempted to verify Khadaffi's claims? Maybe al-Qaeda is actually inside Libya stirring up trouble. Whatever you think of the Colonel, he is no fried of bin Laden!
Gadaffi Is In La-La Land
Muammar Gaddafi looks and sounds so lackadaisical, in France 24's amazing, exclusive interview today, that you seriously have to wonder if he's drugged and mentally ill — the disconnected rambling and gazing off and toward the ceiling; the excessively repetitive few, nonsensical points he makes, then backpedals, then contradicts, should embarrass Gaddafi & Co., and alarm the world. That is the behavior of someone heavily sedated and absolutely not sharp, clear, coherent, focused and fit to lead a nation.
???
At least we know what we get with Gaddafi.
I find it disturbing that Obama and Clinton have not been able to do anything since in office but stir up trouble. Mostly unreported, many leaders will not seriously discuss matters of interest with a woman.
I do not accept for a minute that the unrest in the Middle East is about democracy.
Let Libya handle it!
This is an internal matter! Let Libya handle their own problems, unless the west wants to go into the rest of war torn Africa with the same disgust they are having for Gaddafi!
Sounds like what the Americans say
Qaddafi sounds just like Bush and Obama. Just call the other guys terrorists and you can't do anything wrong.
American president Obama has
American president Obama has asked Saudi Arabia if it can supply weapons to the rebels in Benghazi. Amazing! I think we've finally come to an agreement here.
Gaddafi insists Al-Qaeda...
If the good Colonel says Al-Qaeda is to blame, than that's good enough for me. As I've always said, "if you can't trust a dictator, than who can you trust"?
In the time since the
In the time since the Americans invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, they have continually asserted that any opposition to their brand of democracy must surely be the doings of al Qaeda.
Gaddafi is now saying exactly the same thing, but since he is on the Americans' list of bad boys now, his comments are met with skepticism and ridicule.
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