Politico reports that Libyan opposition fighters rooting through Muammar Qaddafi's abandoned Tripoli compound made a bizarre finding: a photo album filled with images of Condoleezza Rice, showing her giving speeches, standing at a podium and meeting with foreign leaders. MSNBC has pictures of the album.
Although this physical tribute to the former secretary of state is surprising, Qaddafi's affection for her is no secret. He gushed about her in an interview with Al-Jazeera in 2007. "I support my darling black African woman," he said. "I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders … Leezza, Leezza, Leezza … I love her very much. I admire her and I'm proud of her because she's a black woman of African origin."
The next year, he must have been thrilled when the two shared a dinner as he broke the Ramadan fast. "The strong scent of incense hung heavy in the air," wrote the Washington Post in 2008. "His [Qaddafi’s] face lit up when he saw Rice … "
In the understatement of the week, a State Department spokeswoman said today that she was not aware of the photo album but noted that Qaddafi's behavior can often be described as "bizarre and creepy."
Read more at MSNBC and Politico.
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