Gaddafi Criticises UK Reaction to Iran Captives

Libyan leader criticised London's reaction to Iran's seizure of British sailors and marines in the northern Gulf.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Saturday criticised London's reaction to Iran's seizure of British sailors and marines in the northern Gulf.

Tehran says it seized the naval personnel on March 23 because they strayed into Iranian waters but Britain insists they were well inside Iraqi territory.

"This British reaction means that Iraq has become a British colony and Iraq's territorial waters have become British waters," said Gaddafi, addressing Tuareg and other tribal leaders in the central Niger town of Agadez.

Gaddafi did not make clear whether he backed Iran's position but said foreign colonisation was against Islam. "Colonisation is the enemy of Islam, enemy of Arabs and enemy of Persians," he said.

Gaddafi flew on Friday to Agadez to lead mass prayers to mark the birthday of prophet Mohammed. He chaired similar prayers last year in Mali as part of his drive to expand Libya's influence in Africa.

Libya grants financial aid to Islamic communities in the continent and elsewhere to build mosques, Islamic schools and other cultural facilities.