200808292040 | Gaddafi - 'King of kings'

Gaddafi - 'King of kings'

Benghazi, Libya - Dignitaries from a host of African tribes have bestowed the title "king of kings" on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during a visit marking the anniversary of the coup that brought him to power almost four decades ago.

"We have decided to recognise our brother leader as the 'king of kings, sultans, princes, sheikhs and mayors of Africa," said a statement from a forum grouping more than 200 tribal chiefs from Africa late on Thursday.

The tribesmen, many wearing golden crowns, colourful headdresses and robes, also presented Gaddafi with gifts including a "royal chair", an 18th century Qu'ran, ostrich eggs, traditional outfits and local products.

At the meeting in the Mediterranean city of Benghazi east of Tripoli, Gaddafi called his guests to "put pressure on their governments to move towards the unification of Africa and the creation of a United States of Africa."

During their visit, the tribal leaders visited Gaddafi's home in Benghazi which was among a series of targets of US raids in 1986 that killed 40 people including his adopted daughter.

Gaddafi took power after leading a military coup against King Idriss on September 1 1969.