Students protest at Gaddafi visit

Rome, 12 June-(ANA)-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been heckled by students at Rome University, where he was taking part in a debate.

Italian students jeered, let off smoke bombs and hurled paint, in protest at his human rights record and a deal with Italy to return African migrants.

A smaller group of about 50 Kurds applauded his visit.

Earlier Col Gaddafi denounced the US in a speech to Italian senators, saying the 1986 bombing of Tripoli was no better than attacks by al-Qaeda.

Col Gaddafi is on his first visit to Italy, Libya's former colonial power and now biggest trading partner, since he took power in a coup 40 years ago.

Relations between the two countries have been difficult but in recent years they have flourished and even turned to friendship.

During their protest, students shouted slogans against the rector of the university for allowing Col Gaddafi to speak there.

They have been angered in particular by a bilateral agreement signed between Rome and Tripoli to intercept and forcibly repatriate immigrants arriving in Italy from Africa.

Human rights organisations have condemned the agreement as a means for Italy to evade its obligations to migrants and asylum seekers. (ANA)

FA/ANA/12 June 2009---