Gadaffi departs

May 14, 2001

LIBYAN leader Col Muammar Gadaffi yesterday ended a four-day state visit to Uganda, reports Alfred Wasike. During the visit, the Colonel helped restore relations between Uganda and Sudan severed in April 1995.

LIBYAN leader Col Muammar Gadaffi yesterday ended a four-day state visit to Uganda, reports Alfred Wasike. During the visit, the Colonel helped restore relations between Uganda and Sudan severed in April 1995. He is expected to return for the 36th independence anniversary on October 9, sources said yesterday. Gadaffi, wearing a white double-breasted suit and white shoes with his military honours attached to his left breast pocket, was seen off by his host President Yoweri Museveni, Vice-President Speciosa Kazibwe and other Ugandan and Libyan government officials. Three of Gadaffi's six Soviet-built Antonov and Illushin (Illusion) cargo planes left earlier with the vehicles the Libyan delegation used during their stay here. Sources said Gaddafi would leave some of the vehicles, including Mercedes Benz limousines, Nissan Patrols and Land Cruisers. Airport sources said the Libyan planes were loaded with food like fruits, sugar and tea. One Soviet-built passenger Illushin 62M carrying his protection and press teams left a few minutes before Gadaffi and Museveni arrived at the airport from Kampala. The other aircraft flew out of the nearby airbase with more cargo after Gaddafi had left. The two leaders arrived at Entebbe Airport in Museveni's black bulletproof stretch Mercedes Benz limousine at 11:19am soon after a downpour. Museveni, in a dark blue long-sleeved untucked shirt and grey woollen trousers, led his guest along the red carpet on the tarmac to a Uganda flag-draped podium where they took salutes as the national anthems of both countries were played by the Police. Gadaffi, who was one of the several African leaders who attended Museveni's swearing-in at Kololo on Saturday, was then escorted by his and Museveni's aides to inspect a UPDF guard of honour. After Gadaffi left, Museveni boarded his helicopter at midday and flew to his ranch at Kisozi. Ends

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