Top > World > 2006 > March > 2006-03-27

Dictator Says Libya Is The Only Real Democracy

Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi addressed a panel of academics in the U.S. over the weekend, and told them that Libya is the only real democracy in the world. Gaddafi was linked to the U.S. and Libyan panel through a satellite video link.

According to Gaddafi, "There is no state with a democracy except Libya on the whole planet." Relations between the U.S. and Libya have softened since Tripoli decided to give up nuclear weapons in 2003 and admit responsibility for the 1998 bombing of a plane over Lockerbie, Scotland.

Colonel Gaddafi says Libya`s Jamahiriyah system allows citizens to voice their opinions at "people`s congresses." He said through a translator that "this is genuine democracy". He boasted that Libya`s political system is superior to "farcical" and "fake" democracies in the West.