Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi chosen as African Union head

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A senior Egyptian diplomat says Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has been elected to lead the African Union. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa pre-empted the union's official announcement during his speech to more than 20 African heads of state Monday. Moussa is a former Egyptian foreign affairs minister. The chairmanship of the African Union is a rotating position held by heads of state for one year. It is a position heads of state can use to wield influence over the continent's politics. Gadhafi attended the session dressed in a gold-embroidered robe and flanked by seven extravagantly dressed men who said they are the "traditional kings of Africa." Gadhafi last year proclaimed himself the "king of kings" among the traditional kings of Africa.