Qaddafi, floating like a butterfly

SECURING the release of six hostages—French, German and South African—from their Philippine kidnappers has won Colonel Muammar Qaddafi more western praise than any single act in his 31-year reign. At a handover ceremony in Tripoli on Tuesday, European ministers trotted on to the podium to heap thanks on the Libyan leader and his charitable foundation. Two of the hostages wore Qaddafi T-shirts. Libyans, South Africans and Europeans hugged and kissed. Libya had come in from the cold.