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Farewell appearance for Farrakhan | Farewell appearance for Farrakhan |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The leader of US group Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, addressed US foreign policy and religious unity in a speech billed as his final public address. | The leader of US group Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, addressed US foreign policy and religious unity in a speech billed as his final public address. |
The 73-year-old leader of the black Muslim group spoke to thousands of supporters at a stadium in Detroit. | The 73-year-old leader of the black Muslim group spoke to thousands of supporters at a stadium in Detroit. |
In a two-hour speech, he said US President George W Bush should be impeached over the war in Iraq. | In a two-hour speech, he said US President George W Bush should be impeached over the war in Iraq. |
The charismatic but controversial Afro-American leader has been in poor health in recent months. | The charismatic but controversial Afro-American leader has been in poor health in recent months. |
In September last year he relinquished control of the organisation, telling members he was seriously ill. In January he underwent surgery for an undisclosed condition. | In September last year he relinquished control of the organisation, telling members he was seriously ill. In January he underwent surgery for an undisclosed condition. |
Supporters see Mr Farrakhan as a role model for black empowerment. | |
But critics accuse him of anti-Semitism - he once called Judaism a "gutter religion" - and inciting racial tensions. He has been banned from entering the UK. | |
'Sanction him' | 'Sanction him' |
Speaking at an annual meeting of the Nation of Islam, Mr Farrakhan said that the US invaded Iraq because Saddam Hussein became an economic threat. | Speaking at an annual meeting of the Nation of Islam, Mr Farrakhan said that the US invaded Iraq because Saddam Hussein became an economic threat. |
"What should they do about a man who has been lying to America?" he said of Mr Bush. "If you won't impeach him, sanction him." | "What should they do about a man who has been lying to America?" he said of Mr Bush. "If you won't impeach him, sanction him." |
He also said that America had no right to deny Iran nuclear power, and urged young people not to join the military. | |
"I'm here to tell you, brothers and sisters, that's the worst decision you can ever make." | "I'm here to tell you, brothers and sisters, that's the worst decision you can ever make." |
He said the world was at war because of divisions between people of different faiths. | He said the world was at war because of divisions between people of different faiths. |
But despite speculation, he did not use the speech to name a successor. | But despite speculation, he did not use the speech to name a successor. |
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