10
Gadhafi: Security Council Is 'Terror Council'
(AP)
–
In his first appearance at the UN, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi blasted the Security Council and called for the end of the five permanent members' veto power. He also wants to expand the group with additional member states to make it more representative. "It should not be called the Security Council, it should be called the 'terror council,'" said Gadhafi in a rambling speech, during which he quoted from the UN charter. At one point, he complained of jet lag, but that didn't stop him from speaking more than 90 minutes.
The veto-wielding powers—the US, Britain, China, France, and Russia—treat smaller countries as "second-class, despised" nations, he said. "Now, brothers, there is no respect for the United Nations, no regard for the General Assembly." He criticized the UN for failing to prevent some 65 wars since its inception in 1945. Gadhafi did, however, praise President Obama as a welcome change from his predecessors. He called him a "son of Africa" and added, "We would be happy with him forever."
Copyright 2009 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.