Gaddafi slams 'terrorist' US

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has lashed out at the United States by likening the 1986 US strikes on Libya to Osama bin Laden's terror attacks.

He also urged the world to understand the reasons that motivate terrorists as he spoke to Italian lawmakers on Thursday during a landmark visit to Rome.

Gaddafi said he condemned terrorism, al-Qaeda and bin Laden but added "there are reasons behind ... terrorism and we must look at these reasons."

He asked sarcastically what the difference was between the US air strikes on Tripoli and Benghazi two decades ago and bin Laden's attacks. Gaddafi said he was being intentionally provocative and urged dialogue.

Gaddafi also said there should be no interference from the West over the governments chosen by other countries.

On June 4, US President Barack Obama delivered a speech in Cairo, addressing Arabs and vowing to turn a new leaf vis-à-vis the Muslim world.

Ynet contributed to the story