Louis Farrakhan defends “brother” Gaddafi; blasts U.S. action in Libya

Farrakhan held a press conference at the Mosque Maryam, the international headquarters of the Nation of Islam in Chicago, which was purchased in 1972 with the help of a $3 million loan from Gaddafi himself, according to the Chicago Tribune.

It is a terrible thing for me to hear my brother called all these ugly and filthy names when I can't recognize him as that, Farrakhan said.

Even though the current tide is moving against him ... how can I refuse to raise my voice in his defense? Why would I back down from those who have given so much?

The NOI leader also commended Gaddafi for seeking to nationalize Libya's oil industry to benefit his own people.

Farrakhan said that if Gaddafi is prosecuted for committing crimes against humanity than so should George W. Bush for the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Farrakhan visited with Gaddafi in Tripoli in 1997 as part of a friendship tour of Muslim countries. in the Middle East and Africa. In 1998, Gaddafi spoke to NOI members via satellite, and praised Farrakhan for being a courageous freedom fighter.

During that speech, Gaddafi condemned the US for supporting Israel.

Farrakhan also suggested that President Barack Obama is being pressured by Israeli or Jewish groups to take action in Libya, but not in Gaza.

Farrakhan also said that Obama was being used as a pawn to oppress his own people and added several times that U.S. media is controlled by the Jews.

The stupid mistake we make is assuming the president is the supreme power, he said.

The mad dogs are growling and grinding in Washington D.C., in a reference to Gaddafi's nickname Mad Dog of the Middle East.

Earlier, Farrakhan claimed that Obama is controlled by Jewish powers and referred to him as the “first Jewish president.”

He was selected before he was elected, Farrakhan said. And the people that selected him were rich, powerful members of the Jewish community.

Farrakhan also used the devastation in Japan as a warning that Americans face similar calamities.

A major earthquake is on the way to you and me and us, he said. Death and destruction is at the door of all of us and we are [worse] prepared than the Japanese.