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Libya's Gadhafi Says West 'Let Down' His Country

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Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi says the West has not properly compensated Libya for dismantling its weapons of mass destruction programs, so countries like Iran and North Korea will not follow Libya's example.

Colonel Gadhafi made the remark in an interview with the BBC Friday, the day Libya marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the country's Jamahiriyah, or "State of the Masses," the political system created by Gadhafi that in theory allows the people to exercise power through popular committees.

In a speech marking the anniversary, the Libyan leader said his country opened up to the outside world after years of isolation and sanctions.

Colonel Gadhafi was for decades considered an international pariah for his alleged backing of terrorism and pursuing nuclear weapons.

But he later rejected terrorism and in 2003 abandoned Libya's nuclear weapons program, which led to the normalization of ties with the West.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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