Tripoli

ROME - Premier Silvio Berlusconi threw a gala evening for his "friend" Moammar Gadhafi Monday, thanking him for strengthened ties between Tripoli and Rome and dismissing as behind the times those criticizing the Libyan leader for trying to convert Italians to Islam during the visit.

TRIPOLI, Libya - Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi suggested Monday that Nigeria be split along ethnic lines, like Yugoslavia, into several mini-states as a way of resolving violence in Africa's most populous nation.

SIRITE, Libya - Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari briefly walked out Thursday of an Arab League ministerial meeting held in Libya to protest against Moammar Gadhafi's declared support for Saddam Hussein loyalists, delegates said.

TRIPOLI, - Libya on Wednesday demanded an apology for a joking remark by a U.S.