Farrakhan: Libya's Gadhafi remains a friend

By The Associated Press

 ROSEMONT, Ill. – Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan says Moammar Gadhafi has always been a friend and he won't distance himself from the Libyan dictator.

Farrakhan spoke Sunday at the Chicago-based organization Saviours' Day convention.

Farrakhan didn't talk specifics about the deadly uprisings in Libya, but the 77-year-old said no leader has been loved by 100 percent of his people.

Farrakhan also said that if Gadhafi is persecuted for crimes against humanity, the same should apply to former President George W. Bush for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Farrakhan visited Gadhafi in the 1980s and has since considered him a friend of the Nation of Islam, which espouses black nationalism.

During his four-hour speech, Farrakhan discussed historic and current events, including the group's perspective on Scientology, severe weather and UFOs.