Kadhafi warns corruption will lead to 'revolt of the poor'

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

TRIPOLI (AFP) — Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi warned of a revolt by the oil-rich country's poor because of social inequality and the corruption "of senior officials who made themselves rich illegally". "I can still manage the situation and stop an explosive revolt by the poor, faced with the inequality in the distribution of oil wealth that belongs to all Libyans," Kadhafi said in a televised speech to the government.

But, the mercurial North African leader added, "patience has its limits." "Wealth is concentrated in the hands of small groups and the poor have no security, that is unacceptable," he said. He called for those concerned to "declare their wealth and what they have stolen if they want to avoid a revolt by the poor". Kadhafi said that measures would be taken in the...