London  - A Libyan opposition group protested on Tuesday that Libyan leader Moammer al-Gaddafi should not be allowed to hold a speech at the upcoming meeting of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.

The National Front for the Salvation of Libya, which is based in London, said in a statement: "We condemn the UN for allowing a murderous dictator to take to the podium."

The UN elects a new chairman annually. This year, veteran Libyan diplomat Ali Abdussalem Treki was elected, with the assembly due to start Tuesday. Gaddafi's speech is planned for next Wednesday.

The UN was supposed to encourage development and defend human rights, said the statement, adding that instead people "had been tortured" in Libya under Gaddafi.

The Front also accused Gaddafi, who came to power 40 years ago after leading a coup against former king Idris I, of state funded terrorism. (dpa)