Gaddafi: Friends in high places

For a man who was often seen as a political outcast – at best – former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi managed to have some pretty powerful friends.

In some cases, such as that of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. perhaps the friendship lasted roughly as long as the photo-op. But others, such as Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez seem to be in for the long haul, and mourn Gaddafi’s death.

Here is a brief gallery of some of the big names that rubbed shoulders with the controversial figure.