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Muammar Gaddafi begins his first visit to Italy today - heralding improved relations between Libya and its former colonial power.
The Libyan leader, who calls himself an "emancipator of women", will fly into Rome before meeting 700 of the Italy's most influential and powerful women.
Colonel Gaddafi, who has a 300-strong entourage including 40 female bodyguards, will pitch a Bedouin tent in the grounds of the 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili palace.
The visit comes after Italy agreed to pay £4.5billion over 20 years as compensation for Italy's colonisation of the North African country.
Business links have improved and the trip will cement Italy's direct access to Libyan oil and gas.
The women Gaddafi will meet include Mara Carfagna, the former topless model who became Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi's minister for equal opportunities.
Reader views (2)
'The women Gaddafi will meet include Mara Carfagna, the former topless model who became Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi's minister for equal opportunities.'
A strange industry from which to select an equal-opportunities minister: will there now be employment quotas for different bra sizes? Don't tell Trevor Phillips
- Mdj E10, london uk, 22/07/2009 12:35
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I suppose it is the way to bring countries in from the cold and beat terrorism.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 22/07/2009 11:35
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