Gadhafi ends Italy visit after sparking controversy for conversion call, demand for EU cash
By APTuesday, August 31, 2010
Gadhafi ends Italy visit amid controversy
ROME — Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has ended a visit to Italy marked by controversy over his call for Italians to convert to Islam and his request for European Union cash to stem the flow of illegal migrants.
During his two-day stay, Gadhafi gave two lectures on Islam to young Italian women recruited by a modeling agency and paid to attend. His call for them to convert sparked outrage from Italian politicians.
Gadhafi also urged the EU to pay Libya euro5 billion ($6.35 billion) a year to help stop illegal migrants from setting off for the continent.
The U.N. refugee agency’s Laura Boldrini said Tuesday that Libya has the right to seek such agreements, but there must be guarantees for asylum seekers. The U.N. has limited access to detained migrants in Libya.
