Berlusconi meets Libyan leader amid Islam storm

Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi met Muammar Gaddafi yesterday, after the Libyan leader created a media storm by suggesting to a group of young women they convert to Islam.

Italian newspapers and opposition politicians responded angrily after Mr Gaddafi invited hundreds of young women hired by a hostessing agency to an event at a Libyan cultural centre in Rome and suggested they convert to Islam.

Several commentators accused Mr Berlusconi of sacrificing principles and dignity for the sake of trade and investment ties with Libya, whose huge sovereign wealth fund has invested heavily in Italy in recent years.

"What would happen if a European head of state went to Libya or another Islamic country and invited everyone to convert to Christianity?" asked the daily Il Messagero. "We believe it would provoke very strong reactions across the Islamic world."

Media reports said three women converted on Sunday, although it was not possible to verify this. There was a repeat of the event yesterday and participants said Mr Gaddafi encouraged them to marry Libyan men.

The weekend event, not far from the Vatican, followed a similar reception involving about 200 women on a previous visit by Mr Gaddafi last year.

"Gaddafi (has] been taking this country for a ride," said Stefano Pedica, a senator from the opposition Italy of Values party.

An aide to Mr Berlusconi said the two leaders met for talks in the tent in which Mr Gaddafi sleeps on foreign visits and later attended a formal dinner.

Ties have flourished since a 2008 deal in which Mr Berlusconi agreed to pay $5 billion in reparations for Rome's colonial rule over Libya in the early 20th century. Italy is now Libya's biggest trading partner.