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Libya to recall envoy to Riyadh
Libya is to recall its ambassador to Saudi Arabia for consultations following a clash between the two countries' leaders during Saturday's Arab summit. The decision was taken by the Libyan parliament which expressed its discontent at what it called Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz's "aggression" towards Colonel Muammar Gaddafi at the talks being held in Egypt. Tripoli's relations with Riyadh would be reviewed, as well as Libya's membership of the Arab League, an official statement said. Thought Libya was going to drop out anyway, they have been calling themselves an African country as opposed to an Arab one. The exchange - which was broadcast live on television - began when the Libyan leader accused the Saudis of having been ready to "strike an alliance with the devil" when US troops were deployed to protect the kingdom after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990. Crown Prince Abdullah retorted: "Who exactly brought you to power? You are a liar and your grave awaits you." This would be the first thing Abdullah has said in a long while that I agree with. After this, Egyptian state television pulled the plug on the broadcast. Crown Prince Abdullah is said to have stormed out of the room after Colonel Gaddafi refused to apologise. Threw a hissy fit, did he? The conference was suspended for about half an hour while other participants calmed the two men down, news agencies reported. Thousands of Libyans are reported to have demonstrated outside the Saudi embassy in Tripoli. Pity they don't have a common border, middle east wars have started over less. Posted by: Steve 2003-03-03 |
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