Tents, Trumpets and Tantrums: Gaddafi's Visit to Paris

PARIS, Dec. 11, 2007— -- The longest-serving leader in the Arab world arrived at France's parliament building today to a fanfare of trumpets and a state salute by the French Republican Guard.

The red carpet was rolled out for Col. Muammar Gaddafi, but it did not lead to the National Assembly's speaking podium. Behind the pomp and ceremony, controversy brewed.

The Libyan leader had an hour-long meeting with a few obliging lawmakers, among them the president of the National Assembly. His request to address parliament had been turned down; opposition members were refusing to meet him, as were disapproving ruling party members.

"It's indecent to roll out the red carpet for a dictator," communist parliament member Marie-George Buffet told reporters.

"If we don't talk to those who are making an effort to rejoin the international community, we condemn them to return toward marginalization, and I don't think we work for peace this way," Bernard Accoyer, the president of the National Assembly, told reporters in justifying his decision to welcome Gaddafi to the National Assembly.

A few dozen protesters showed up in front of the National Assembly this morning and were quickly dispersed by the police.

But the polemics on Gaddafi's visit started ahead of his arrival yesterday, when he had not even set foot on French soil. France's top human rights official strongly criticized the Libyan leader, telling a French newspaper that France was not a "doormat" on which Gaddafi could wipe off the blood of his crimes.

Secretary of State Rama Yade, 31, denounced the timing of the visit. Yesterday was World Human Rights Day. She was later summoned to the Elysee Palace for a 30-minute meeting with President Sarkozy. She did not offer her resignation, and Sarkozy did not ask for it. And he later reaffirmed his confidence in Yade. The festivities could start.

The rest of the day was all about business. At the Elysee Palace last night, Sarkozy and Gaddafi oversaw the signing of contracts, including the sale of 21 Airbus planes, and framework agreements. In all, deals signed with Libya this week are expected to total $14.7 billion.