African Union names Gaddafi as head Gaddafi 
has in the past proclaimed himself the 
'king of kings' among the traditional 
kings of Africa [AFP]

Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, has been named chairman of the 53-nation African Union. He was elected "by the heads of state in a closed-door session, for a one-year period", Habiba Mejri-Sheikh, an AU spokeswoman, said. In its earlier sessions, AU delegates called for a lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe. The call followed the announcement on Friday that the country's opposition would be joining a unity government. Mixed reactions Gaddafi was handed the chairman's gavel by Jakaya Kikwete, the Tanzanian president and outgoing AU leader, to applause from other leaders on Monday.