Qaddafi’s African Drive Fails as ‘King of Kings’ Faces End

Muammar Qaddafi bought influence in Africa in the past four decades with investments in everything from chicken farms to rebel movements. That flow of funds to some of the world’s poorest countries may be about to end.

The Libyan ruler’s bid to create a “United States of Africa” is in tatters after the opposition seized half of his country and members of his administration, including key members of the diplomatic corps, deserted him. His efforts to crush a two-week uprising were condemned yesterday by the 192-member United Nations General Assembly.