Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi proselytised to hundreds of young Italian woman in Rome on Sunday in an effort to gain converts to Islam. Gaddafi had just arrived to the Italian capital to mark the second anniversary of a friend ship agreement between his country and Italy.

The up to 500 women who participated in the event were bused to the Libyan ambassador's residence. They told that Europe must become Muslim and given copies of the Koran, according to press accounts by some of Gaddafi's guests.

Gaddafi hosted a similar event last year during a visit to Rome.

When Gaddafi was in Italy last year for a United Nations food summit, he hosted around 200 young Italian women who had been recruited and paid 50 euros by the same modelling agency to attend that recruited guests for Sunday's event.

Gaddafi on Monday is expected to attend to bilateral events between Libya and Italy to celebrate the second anniversary of an accord that officially ended animosity between the countries following Italy's occupation of the north African nation from 1911-1943.

Gadaffi arrived with 30 horses that will be part of a equestrian show which will include participation by Italy's military police, the Carabinieri. Libya is also slated to host a gala dinner with about 800 guests.

AKI