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Gadhafi and his travelling Bedouin tent to visit St. John's, NL

by albertacowpoke | September 25, 2009 at 03:52 am

390 views | 76 Recommendations | 11 comments

Ghadafi had a 90 minute forum at the United Nations where he rambled on. Now he plans to stop for one day in Canada on his return trip to Libya Prime Minister Harper has emphasized that this is not an official visit to Canada.

Ghadafi has ordered some 130 hotel rooms for his entourage and a piece of real estate in St. John's, Newfoundland to pitch his bedouin tent.

Although this is not an official visit Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon is being dispatched to meet Ghadafi on arrival.

"Minister Cannon will voice Canada's strong disapproval over the hero's welcome organized for Abdelbasset Al Maghrahi, the man responsible for the Lockerbie terrorist bombing. It constituted an insult to all the victims who died, including Canadians."

"This is not an official visit to Canada," a written statement from PMO spokesman Dimitri Soudas said.

"Prime Minister [Stephen] Harper has asked Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon to go to St. John's and meet the Libyan leader," Soudas wrote.

"Minister Cannon will voice Canada's strong disapproval over the hero's welcome organized for Abdelbasset Al Maghrahi, the man responsible for the Lockerbie terrorist bombing. It constituted an insult to all the victims who died, including Canadians."

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marianmo

at 06:29 on September 25th, 2009

mmmmm put his tent on a gravel beach, why is he allowed in canada, tougt tere were rules about letting terrorists in ty for this post

albertacowpoke

at 09:57 on September 25th, 2009

It certainly isn't lol. Thanks for noticing Lorac. What was I thinking? I have been to both St.John and St.John's.

Blue Crush

at 15:57 on September 25th, 2009

Pitch his tent? Entourage of 130 people? Ha! Can't wait to hear the stories.

Pythiian1

at 16:32 on September 25th, 2009

I wonder why then does he plan to visit Canada since it's not a state visit, according to PM Harper?

Blue Crush

at 18:18 on September 25th, 2009

It's common practice for private charters and government planes to stop in Newfoundland for refueling before / after crossing the Atlantic - staying overnight isn't the norm though. Maybe it's because of all the jet lag he complained of on the way over?

I've a friend that's a "greeter" for those planes, but it'll be the RCMP (and the foreign minister) greeting this plane.

albertacowpoke

at 16:49 on September 25th, 2009

Apparently there have been some problems with entrance too. Who knows why Ghadafi does things. He may be a little cold in that tent on the Rock.

Blue Crush

at 18:21 on September 25th, 2009

There's rooms booked for Tuesday night at a luxury hotel next to Signal Hill. Yup, might be a wee bit nippy on the Rock.

Rory Cripps

at 18:28 on September 25th, 2009

DUH!

Amy Judd

at 15:34 on September 26th, 2009

UPDATE:

Gadhafi has canceled his trip:

The official said that Gadhafi would not be landing as originally planned in St. John's, Newfoundland, on Tuesday to refuel his plane and stay for a night. The official said hotel reservations have been canceled and Libya's advance team has left.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid speaking for another country's head of state.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokesman Sgt. Wayne Newell later confirmed they were told Gadhafi was not coming but said no reason was given.

The Libyan Embassy in Ottawa did not return calls seeking comment.