Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gadaffi arrived in style in Swaziland on Thursday in a 90 vehicle motorcade from Durban, promising a poor woman on the way that her life would improve.
He had been attending a summit which disbanded the 39-year-old Organisation of African Unity and inaugurated the African Union as its more powerful successor.
Gadaffi is seen as being one of the main driving forces behind the African Union.
Swazi supporters of Gadaffi spent the better part of Thursday chanting his name, holding up posters and waving, an AFP correspondent reported.
They went into a frenzy when Gadaffi stepped off a bus in the motorcade of some 90 vehicles and waved his peace sign.
Swazi King Mswati III sent Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini with a luxury car to greet Gadaffi at the border post.
But instead of jumping into it, Gadaffi climbed into his own limousine and headed for Ludzidzini, the tiny kingdoms spiritual capital, about 18 kilometres outside of Mbabane.
On the way there Gadaffi stopped the car when he saw some huts falling apart.
He promised the female head of the poverty stricken household, Busisiwe Gina, that her life would improve.
”I am very happy with what he said and I am looking forward to a better structure as this man promised to improve our lives,” said Gina.
At Ludzidzini, Gadaffi was welcomed by the king with a 21-gun salute, he inspected a military guard of honour and was entertained with traditional dances.
On Friday the Libyan leader is expected to visit the country’s industrial capital, Matsapha in central Swaziland.
Before departing Gadaffi will sign a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, which may lead to the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Gadaffi?s advance team arrived in Swaziland about two weeks ago and they have occupied more than 200 hotel rooms in the capital.
His entourage reportedly includes some 400 security staff, including bodyguards with 28 submachine guns and 43 pistols.
Gadaffi will remain in Swaziland until the weekend, when he departs on a state visit to Mozambican capital, Maputo. – Sapa-AFP