Yet,in comments aired by the European Commission-backed network Euronews, Moldova's leading civil rights activist Natalia Morari, suggests that young people want pro-Western candidates, such as Ghimpu,to take power.

VOA: standard.2009.08.29

EuroNews's problem, paradoxically, is that its origins lie in the ideal of a united Europe.

ECONOMIST: Unsnoozing the continental news

In the Euronews interview, Col Gaddafi's son said military operations against the rebels were "finished" and everything would be over within 48 hours.

BBC: Gaddafi: 'Libya funded Sarkozy's French poll campaign'

His remarks to the Euronews TV channel came days after Libyan state TV reported a "grave secret" that would bring about Mr Sarkozy's downfall.

BBC: Gaddafi: 'Libya funded Sarkozy's French poll campaign'