When Muammar Gaddafi stepped onto the podium of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2009, few expected an ordinary diplomatic address.
It was Gaddafi’s first appearance before the UN General Assembly, despite having ruled Libya for about four decades. And he used the occasion to deliver one of the most unconventional and lengthy speeches in the Assembly’s history.
The United Nations’ official archive records the address at approximately one hour and 36 minutes, while contemporary media reports put the duration at about 98 minutes.
Speaking in Arabic, Gaddafi launched a broad criticism of the international system, with particular attention to the United Nations Security Council and the veto power held by its five permanent members — the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.
He questioned the effectiveness of the Security Council and argued that its structure gave disproportionate influence to the major powers.
Gaddafi also raised a number of controversial subjects during the address, including the 2003 Iraq War, the assassination of former US President John F. Kennedy and conflicts involving Israel and Palestine. The official UN record confirms that he called for investigations into assassination-related matters and other issues.
His speech was notable not only for its length but also for its unconventional style. Contemporary coverage described the address as rambling and reported that he made a series of highly controversial claims and criticisms from the UN podium.
Gaddafi’s appearance was also surrounded by controversy outside the General Assembly chamber.
During his 2009 visit to New York, his delegation sought a location where he could erect his trademark Bedouin-style tent. Plans to put up the tent in Central Park and in New Jersey had encountered opposition before workers began erecting one on property associated with businessman Donald Trump in Bedford, New York.
Local authorities subsequently ordered work on the structure to stop because of zoning and permit issues. The tent was later dismantled. Contemporary reports said Trump’s organisation maintained that the property had been leased to Middle Eastern partners and that Trump was not aware Gaddafi would use it.
Gaddafi’s 2009 UN appearance therefore became memorable for several reasons: its extraordinary length, his direct criticism of the international power structure, his controversial claims and the extraordinary drama surrounding his visit to New York.
Whatever assessment is made of Gaddafi’s political record, his address remains one of the most unusual speeches ever delivered from the UN General Assembly podium.
The official UN archive preserves the full 2009 address and its video, providing a record of what Gaddafi actually said rather than relying solely on later retellings circulating online.
