Gaddafi walks out of summit

2009-07-02 20:12

Sirte -Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi briefly walked out of the African Union summit on Thursday in frustration at divisions over his scheme to create a powerful continental government, diplomats said.

"They're stuck. The discussion should continue later", one delegate said as African leaders decided to take a break from the talks while their foreign ministers try to resolve differences among the 53 members.

Gaddafi, the current AU chief, came back a while later, but refused to lead the debate, the delegate added.

"The mood was tense but still polite," he added.

The African Union has already agreed to move toward greater integration, but countries like oil-rich Nigeria and much of eastern and southern Africa favour a gradual approach, while Gaddafi wants the summit to grant a new African Authority sweeping powers over defence, trade and foreign relations.

Senegal and many French-speaking African countries support Libya's position, part of Gaddafi’s larger drive to create a "United States of Africa."

- SAPA