Gaddafi begs Obama to halt 'unjust war'
Libyan leader condemns Nato action and says his opponents are al-Qaida members in three-page letter to US president
Muammar Gaddafi tells Barack Obama that the Nato operation has hurt his country more morally than physically. Photograph: Michael Gottschalk/Associated Press
Muammar Gaddafi has appealed directly to Barack Obama to halt what the Libyan leader called "an unjust war".
In a rambling three-page letter obtained by the Associated Press, Gaddafi implored Obama to stop the Nato-led air campaign, which he called an "unjust war against a small people of a developing country", and wished the president luck in next year's election.
"You are a man who has enough courage to annul a wrong and mistaken action," Gaddafi wrote in the letter, which was sent to the US state department and forwarded to the White House. "I am sure that you are able to shoulder the responsibility for that."
The letter continued: "To serving world peace ... friendship between our peoples ... and for the sake of economic, and security cooperation against terror, you are in a position to keep Nato off the Libyan affair for good."
The White House press secretary Jay Carney confirmed that a letter from Gaddafi had been received – and appeared to dismiss the Libyan's appeal for a ceasefire.
"The conditions the president laid out are clear," Carney told reporters who were travelling with Obama to New York.
Addressing Obama as "our son" and "excellency", Gaddafi said his country had been hurt more "morally" than "physically" by the Nato campaign and that a democratic society could not be built through missiles and aircraft.
He also repeated his claim that his foes, particularly those now in control of the city of Benghazi, are members of al-Qaida.
Gaddafi said his country had already been unfairly subjected to US and international sanctions, and in 1986 to "a direct military armed aggression" ordered by Ronald Reagan, who called the leader the "Mad Dog of the Middle East".
Although he listed a litany of complaints, Gaddafi said he bore no ill will toward Obama.
"We have been hurt more morally [than] physically because of what had happened against us in both deeds and words by you," he wrote. "Despite all this you will always remain our son whatever happened. We still pray that you continue to be president of the USA. We Endeavour and hope that you will gain victory in the new election campaign."
The letter, dated 5 April 2011 in Tripoli, is signed "Mu'aumer Qaddaffi, Leader of the Revolution".
