Everyone's favorite tyrant is back in the news, this time for attempting to evangelize Rome's beauties. From the BBC:

The girls had to be beautiful, between 18 and 35 - and at least 1.70m tall. The dress code was strict: plunging necklines and short miniskirts were most definitely out. Two-hundred women passed muster and were bussed to a plush residential corner of the Italian capital.

Security scanned and shown into an imposing reception room, they were then left waiting, as several complained, without so much as a glass of water. An hour later, their host's identity was finally revealed. Col Gaddafi proceeded to preach the benefits of Islam, taking particular pains to assure his guests that it was not misogynistic, and encouraging them to convert.

Two hours later, the women left, looking a touch bemused, 50 euros ($75; £45) better off and clutching a copy of the Koran.

Gaddafi rarely makes sense, but is almost always entertaining.

Update: Der Spiegel has an epic photo set here. And Al Jazeera's Arabic language service is reporting that one of the girls actually converted. Money quote translated:

"Reports stated that one of the participants said--at the end of the lecture that lasted two hours--that she was convinced by what the Libyan president said and has decided to convert to Islam. While another participant merely pointed out that what Gaddafi said was important."

Hat tip to Diana for help with the translation.