Libyan Rocket: Colonel Muammar Gaddafi designs a "safe" car

It's been a big month for Libya. First, convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was returned to the northern African nation by the new Scottish government because he's dying of prostate cancer. Second, Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution (aka Muammar Gaddafi) designed a car. Called the Saroukh el-Jamahiriya (Libyan Rocket), Gaddafi's car seats five, has a 230-hp V6 and the nose and tail of a rocket. While different, it's not entirely terrible. Kinda like how the 2024 Honda Civic might look. Hey Muammar, quit your day job.

Launched at a conference called the Organization of African Unity and organized by Colonel Gaddafi, the Rocket is set to be be produced in Tripoli, Libya's capital where a factory is set to be built next month. Why is Libya building a car, and why did Col. Gaddafi design it? Safety. In response to the high numbers of people killed and injured annually on Libya's roads, Gaddafi had to act. Says a spokeshole, "The leader spent so many hours of his valuable time thinking of an effective solution. It is the safest car produced anywhere."

How so safe? We're not entirely sure, the Libyan Rocket does come with airbags, an "electronic defense system" (no idea) and collapsible bumpers that supposedly help out in a crash. Somehow we don't think Volvo's losing any sleep. However, the spokeshole goes on to say, "The invention of the safest car in the world is proof that the Libyan revolution is built on the happiness of man." We were wondering. Hat tip to Peter

[Source: BBC | Photos by AFP/Getty]