WASHINGTON (AP) -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is appealing to President Barack Obama to halt the NATO operation to protect opponents of his regime. In a letter to Obama obtained by The Associated Press, Gadhafi implores Obama to stop what he called an "unjust war against a small people of a developing country."
A U.S. official confirms that the U.S. thinks the rambling three-page letter is authentic.
In the letter, sent Wednesday, Gadhafi says his country had been hurt more morally than physically by the NATO campaign and that a democratic society could not be built through missiles and aircraft. He also repeated his claim that his foes are members of al-Qaida.
Gadhafi addresses Obama as "our son" in the letter and says he hopes Obama will win re-election in 2012.