Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is moving ever-closer to his dream of creating an United States of Africa with his own dynasty in charge of the continent. He was already voted "King of Kings,'now he's been voted in as the president of the African Union.
Gadaffi was already officially granted the title "King of Kings', by 200 African kings and traditional leaders - a title which may not be meaningful among Western governments - but carries great power for Gadaffi on the African continent, which is still very much ruled by tribal chieftains and war-lords. And now, he was voted chairman of the 53-nation
African Union in a closed-door election by the attending heads of state, for a one-year period.
Al Jazeera news agency quoted African Union spokeswoman Habiba Mejri-Sheikh as saying that
Gaddafi was handed the chairman's gavel by Jakaya Kikwete, the Tanzanian president and outgoing AU leader.
Some unnamed members of the AU were however said to be 'uneasy' about his nomination, Al Jazeera reports.
Gaddafi has a grand vision for the African continent -- he wants a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for all Africans to move within the continent - preferably under the leadership of his own Libyan clan's dynasty, which is growing in power worldwide mainly because of Libya's control of oil-shipments from the African continent.
During the closed-door debate earlier on Monday, he had however not received the majority backing for his tabled proposal to vote for his "United States Of Africa" proposals. It's not known who voted against him.
Last August, at a meeting of more than 200 African kings and traditional rulers, Gaddaffi was granted the title "King of Kings' (of Africa).
Gaddafi - who prides himself on his Bedouin origin and always travels around with his entourage in
a gigantic Bedouin city of very luxurious tents -- has also created a vast family dynasty which continues to spread its influence in important Islamic charities, international sports organisations -- and Libya's powerful shipping industry, which also controls the oil transports from Nigerian harbours. The Gadaffi dynasty also owns important shareholding blocks in major harbours worldwide.
Olympic Committee:
He has eight children, seven of them sons. His eldest son, Muhammad Gaddafi, was born to a wife now in disfavour, but runs the Libyan Olympic Committee.
Philippines islamic militants:
The next eldest son by his second wife is Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi, who was born in 1972 and is an architect. He runs a charity (GIFCA) which has been involved in negotiating freedom for hostages taken by Islamic militants, especially in the Philippines. In 2006, after sharply criticizing his father's regime, Saif Al Islam briefly left Libya, reportedly to take on a position in banking outside of the country.
He returned to Libya soon after, launching an environment-friendly initiative to teach children how they can help clean up parts of Libya. He is involved in compensation negotiations with Italy and the United States.
Libyan military, football federation...
The third eldest, Saadi Gaddafi, is married to the daughter of a military commander. Saadi runs the Libyan Football Federation and signed for various professional teams including
Italian Serie A team U.C. Sampdoria, although without appearing in first team games.
National security advisor:
Gaddafi's fourth son, Moatessem-Billah Gaddafi, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Libyan army. He fled to Egypt after allegedly masterminding an Egyptian backed coup attempt against his father. Gaddafi forgave Moatessem and he returned to Libya where he now holds the post of national security adviser and heads his own unit within the army.
Saif Al Islam and Moatessem-Billah are both seen as possible successors to their father.
Libyan oil exports:
The fifth eldest, Hannibal Gaddafi, once worked for General National Maritime Transport Company, a company that specializes in Libyan oil exports. He is most notable for being involved in a series of violent incidents throughout Europe, including charges against him for beating up his then pregnant girlfriend, Alin Skaf.
In September 2004, Hannibal was involved in a police chase in Paris.
Boycot of Swiss imports, no oil to Switzerland:
On July 15, 2008, Hannibal and his wife were held for two days and charged with assaulting two of their staff in Geneva, Switzerland and then released on bail on July 17.
As a result, unless the Swiss government apologizes for the arrest, the government of Libya put a boycott on Swiss imports, reduced flights between Libya and Switzerland, stopped issuing visas to Swiss citizens, recalled diplomats from Bern, and forced all Swiss companies such as ABB and Nestlé to close offices. General National Maritime Transport Company, which owns a large refinery in Switzerland, also halted oil shipments to Switzerland.
Saddam Hussein 's defence team:
Gaddafi's two youngest sons are Saif Al Arab and Khamis, who is a police officer in Libya.
Gaddafi's only daughter is Aisha Gaddafi, a lawyer who had joined the defence team of executed former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. She married a cousin of her father in 2006.His reportedly adopted daughter, Hanna, was killed in the June 1986 United States bombing of Libya.
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