Obama disappoints Gaddafi
2008-06-12 11:05
Tripoli - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi lashed out at Barack Obama on Wednesday, accusing the US presidential candidate of not living up to his campaign slogan because of recent comments on Israel.
Though Gaddafi referred to Obama as "our brother, the Kenyan with American nationality", he also said he expected more from the Illinois Democrat.
"Obama has not fulfilled anything from his slogan: 'Change'," Gaddafi said.
The Libyan leader spoke at ceremony marking the 38th anniversary of foreign troops leaving the North African country after he came to power in a military coup in 1969.
In a snub to the United States, his speech was at an airport in Tripoli that was the site of a US airbase, which closed in June 1970. Instead of his normal attire - elaborate robes - Gaddafi wore a military uniform for the first time in years.
Disappointed our hopes
"Obama's announcement that the unified Jerusalem should be the eternal capital of Israel and that he will support it with $30bn during the next 10 years, has disappointed our hopes and that of the Africans," Gaddafi said.
During a speech earlier this month to Jewish activists in Washington, Obama said the bond between Israel and the United States was "unbreakable" and that as president "I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security".
Obama said Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel - touching off heavy criticism among Palestinians, who claim the eastern part of Jerusalem as a capital for their future state.
"We expected his (Obama's) change to mean that he will stand beside the Palestinian people, the besieged and the victims of injustice," Gaddafi said.
Gaddafi suggested that Obama should promise to give Africa the money Washington allocates to Israel to "build a dam on the Congo River to supply the whole African continent with power."
- AP