Editing Muammar Gaddafi (section)

====Links with Africa and conflicts in the Arab League====
[[File:Muammar al-Gaddafi-30112006.jpg|thumb|upright|Gaddafi wearing an insignia showing the image of the African continent]]

During the final years of the 20th century, Gaddafi—frustrated by the failure of his pan-Arab ideals and the refusal of the Arab world to challenge the international air embargo imposed on Libya—increasingly rejected Arab nationalism in favour of [[pan-Africanism]], emphasizing Libya's African identity.{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=142|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=227}}<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Schneider |first=Howard |date=4 October 1998 |title=LIBYA'S GADHAFI SAYS HIS FUTURE IS AFRICAN |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/10/04/libyas-gadhafi-says-his-future-is-african/be1b8b48-3639-442b-8c64-e1aabd36cfe4/ |access-date=13 February 2023 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828041925/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/10/04/libyas-gadhafi-says-his-future-is-african/be1b8b48-3639-442b-8c64-e1aabd36cfe4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 1998 interview, Gaddafi claimed that "the Arab world is finished" and expressed his wish for Libya to become a "black country."<ref name=":8" /> From 1997 to 2000, Libya initiated cooperative agreements or bilateral aid arrangements with 10 African states,{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=229}} and in 1999 joined the [[Community of Sahel–Saharan States]] (CEN–SAD).{{sfnm|1a1=St. John|1y=2008|1p=99|2a1=Kawczynski|2y=2011|2p=189}} In June 1999, Gaddafi visited Mandela in South Africa,{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=226}} and the following month attended the OAU summit in [[Algiers]], calling for greater political and economic integration across the continent and advocating the foundation of a [[United States of Africa]].{{sfn|St. John|2012|pp=227–228}} He became one of the founders of the [[African Union]] (AU), initiated in July 2002 to replace the OAU. At the opening ceremonies, he called for African states to reject conditional aid from the [[Developed country|developed]] world, a direct contrast to the message of South African President [[Thabo Mbeki]].{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=190|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=229}} There was speculation that Gaddafi wanted to become the AU's first chair, raising concerns within Africa that this would damage the Union's international standing, particularly with the West.{{sfn|Ramutsindela|2009|p=3}}

At the third AU summit, held in Tripoli, Libya, in July 2005, Gaddafi called for greater integration, advocating a single AU passport, a common defence system, and a single currency, using the slogan: "The United States of Africa is the hope."{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1pp=190–191|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=230}} His proposal for a Union of African States, a project originally conceived by Ghana's [[Kwame Nkrumah]] in the 1960s, was rejected at the 2001 Assembly of Heads of States and Government (AHSG) summit in Lusaka by African leaders who thought it "unrealistic" and "utopian".{{sfn|Martin|2002|p=280}} In June 2005, Libya joined the [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]] (COMESA).{{sfn|St. John|2012|p=231}} In March 2008 in Uganda, Gaddafi gave a speech once again urging Africa to reject foreign aid.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL17472166|title = Gaddafi says Africans must reject conditional aid|newspaper = Reuters|date = 17 March 2008|last1 = Kwera|first1 = Francis|access-date = 13 March 2021|archive-date = 14 July 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220714113120/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL17472166|url-status = live}}</ref> In August 2008, Gaddafi was proclaimed "[[King of Kings]]" by a committee of traditional African [[Tribal chief|leaders]];{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=188|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2pp=270–271}} they [[coronation|crowned]] him in February 2009, in a ceremony held in [[Addis Ababa]], Ethiopia.{{sfnm|1a1=Kawczynski|1y=2011|1p=190|2a1=St. John|2y=2012|2p=272}} That same month, Gaddafi was elected as the chairperson of the African Union, a position he retained for one year.{{sfnm|1a1=Ramutsindela|1y=2009|1p=1|2a1=Kawczynski|2y=2011|2p=190|3a1=St. John|3y=2012|3p=272}} In October 2010, Gaddafi apologized to African leaders for the historical enslavement of Africans by the [[Arab slave trade]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chiwanza|first=Takudzwa Hillary|title=Muammar Gaddafi Apologized for the Cruel Treatment of Africans During the Arab Slave Trade {{!}} The African Exponent.|url=https://www.africanexponent.com/post/6905-gaddadi-apologized-for-the-arab-slave-trade|access-date=21 December 2020|website=The African Exponent|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714113121/https://www.africanexponent.com/post/6905-gaddadi-apologized-for-the-arab-slave-trade|url-status=live}}</ref>

Meanwhile, Gaddafi continued to have testy relationships with most of his fellow Arab leaders. In the 2003 Arab League summit, Gaddafi was involved in a public verbal altercation with [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]], then the Crown Prince. Gaddafi accused Saudi Arabia of having made an "alliance with the devil" when it invited the US to intervene in the 1991 [[Gulf War]]. Abdullah responded that Gaddafi was a "liar" and an "agent of colonizers" and threatened Gaddafi that "your grave awaits you."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghabra |first=Shafeeq |date=9 March 2003 |title=An Arab House, Openly Divided |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/2003/03/09/an-arab-house-openly-divided/a5cac861-a977-486b-bdee-4d657ec4a223/ |access-date=4 February 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Two weeks after the summit, Gaddafi allegedly plotted with the Emir [[Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani]] of [[Qatar]] to assassinate Abdullah.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Libya 'plotted to kill' Saudi Crown Prince |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/libya-plotted-to-kill-saudi-crown-prince-1.986510 |access-date=4 February 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075412/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/libya-plotted-to-kill-saudi-crown-prince-1.986510 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2017 |title=Qatar plotted to assassinate King Abdullah: Saudi Media Advisor |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/7931/Qatar-plotted-to-assassinate-King-Abdullah-Saudi-Media-Advisor |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=EgyptToday |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075408/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/7931/Qatar-plotted-to-assassinate-King-Abdullah-Saudi-Media-Advisor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title='UAE ruler's friend' ran Libyan plot to kill Saudi crown prince |language=fr |work=Middle East Eye édition française |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/fr/news/saudi-king-assassination-plot-planned-uae-citizen-1134806678 |access-date=4 February 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075413/https://www.middleeasteye.net/fr/news/saudi-king-assassination-plot-planned-uae-citizen-1134806678 |url-status=live }}</ref> The plot was overseen by Libyan intelligence chief [[Moussa Koussa]], Mohammed Ismail (a colonel in Gaddafi's military intelligence), and [[Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi]] (an American citizen and founder of [[American Muslim Council]]). The assassination conspiracy was foiled by Saudi intelligence with the help of the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tyler |first=Patrick E. |date=10 June 2004 |title=Two Said to Tell Of Libyan Plot Against Saudi |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/10/world/two-said-to-tell-of-libyan-plot-against-saudi.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/10/world/two-said-to-tell-of-libyan-plot-against-saudi.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Amoudi was sentenced to 23 years in prison in the US and stripped of his American citizenship. Ismail was arrested by Saudi Arabia, pardoned by Abdullah in 2005, and later acquired [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]] citizenship due to his close ties with its ruler [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]].<ref name=":1" /> After the failure of the assassination plot, Gaddafi continued to discuss instigating a [[regime change]] in Saudi Arabia with multiple [[power broker]]s in the [[Persian Gulf]], including Qatar's Foreign Minister [[Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani]], [[Oman]]'s foreign minister [[Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah]], and Kuwaiti extremist preacher Hakem al-Mutairi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 June 2017 |title=Former Qatari Emir conspired with Qaddafi against Saudi Arabia |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2017/06/08/Former-Qatari-Emir-conspired-with-Gaddafi-against-Saudi-Arabia |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075415/https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2017/06/08/Former-Qatari-Emir-conspired-with-Gaddafi-against-Saudi-Arabia |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 May 2020 |title=Libya's Gaddafi sought to replace Saudi Arabia's ruling family |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/28858/leaked-phone-call-libyas-gaddafi-sought-to-replace-saudi-arabias-ruling-family/ |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en-US |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075414/https://www.theafricareport.com/28858/leaked-phone-call-libyas-gaddafi-sought-to-replace-saudi-arabias-ruling-family/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2020 |title=Gaddafi, extremist preacher discuss overthrowing Saudi, Kuwaiti governments: Audio |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/07/25/Gaddafi-extremist-preacher-discuss-overthrowing-Saudi-Kuwaiti-governments-Audio- |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075414/https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/07/25/Gaddafi-extremist-preacher-discuss-overthrowing-Saudi-Kuwaiti-governments-Audio- |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Gaddafi–Abdullah feud came into public view again in the [[2009 Arab League summit]] when Gaddafi accused Abdullah, who had become [[King of Saudi Arabia]] in 2005, of being created by Britain and protected by the US.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muammar Gaddafi accuses Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah of lying at Arab summit |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/qatar/5079290/Muammar-Gaddafi-accuses-Saudi-Arabias-King-Abdullah-of-lying-at-Arab-summit.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=www.telegraph.co.uk |date=30 March 2009 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/qatar/5079290/Muammar-Gaddafi-accuses-Saudi-Arabias-King-Abdullah-of-lying-at-Arab-summit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Alluding to their 2003 altercation, Gaddafi taunted Abdullah for ostensibly avoiding a confrontation with him for six years and quoted Abdullah's 2003 "grave awaits you" threat back at him before storming out of the meeting to visit a museum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 March 2009 |title=Libya's Gaddafi hurls insults at Saudi king |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/libyas-gaddafi-hurls-insults-at-saudi-king-20141031-9h9r.html |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://www.smh.com.au/world/libyas-gaddafi-hurls-insults-at-saudi-king-20141031-9h9r.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Abdullah also left the meeting hall in anger.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Libyan, Saudi leaders walk out of Arab Summit after a spat |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/qatar/libyan-saudi-leaders-walk-out-of-arab-summit-after-a-spat-1.60102 |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=gulfnews.com |date=30 March 2009 |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075407/https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/qatar/libyan-saudi-leaders-walk-out-of-arab-summit-after-a-spat-1.60102 |url-status=live }}</ref> A Saudi official later claimed that Gaddafi and Abdullah had held a 30 minutes meeting at the sideline of the summit and that the "personal problem" between them was "over."<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2009 |title=Libyan, Saudi leaders 'make up' at Doha meeting |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20090331-libyan-saudi-leaders-make-doha-meeting- |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204075413/https://www.france24.com/en/20090331-libyan-saudi-leaders-make-doha-meeting- |url-status=live }}</ref> However, Gaddafi had given weapons and money to the [[Houthi movement|Houthis]] to attack Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10021347.html|title=Mana'a and al-Ahmar received money from Gaddafi to shake security of KSA, Yemen|date=4 September 2011|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210080152/http://www.yobserver.com/front-page/10021347.html|archive-date=10 February 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref>