[Al Arabiya Latest] Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi threw a massive party to celebrate his 40 years in power on Tuesday as the British and Scottish governments sought to defuse an increasingly damaging row over the release of the Lockerbie bomber by publishing their files. Tripoli's streets were decked with thousands of multicolored lights, and hundreds of Gaddafi portraits and placards paying tribute to the leader, including one saying: "May Glory Be Yours, Oh Maker of Glories."
The leader marked his 40th anniversary of the bloodless coup that brought him to power with celebrations attended by African, Arab and Latin American leaders but largely ignored by the West.
Gaddafi's party includes a military parade, air show, fireworks and a son-et-lumiere performance with dancers depicting Libya's past and modern history.
Among those attending the celebrations for Gaddafi, who once described himself as "leader of the Arab leaders, the king of kings of Africa and the imam of the Muslims," are Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and a number of African leaders who stayed on after an African Union summit in Tripoli Monday.
A string of European leaders who were invited, however, are staying away. Gaddafi himself is now being welcomed in European capitals after many years of his regime being was viewed as a pariah and supporter of terrorism.