New York  - Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, appearing for the first time before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, decried the veto powers of permanent Security Council members that have dominated the world body since 1945.

Gaddafi held a copy of the UN Charter to make his arguments, saying that he cannot accept the veto, which he criticized for being mainly in the hands of only three countries that defeated Germany in World War II.

The countries with veto power are the five UN Security Council permanent members: the United States, Russia, France, China and Britain.

"We do not accept it, we do not recognize it," he said and dropped the small book to the floor.

"We are not equal," he said in a rambling address, standing at the podium used minutes before by US President Barack Obama, who stepped out of the 192-nation assembly hall after his speech rather than remaining to listen to Gaddafi. "We have the same rights whether we are big or small."

Many heads of state and government remain in the seats reserved for their countries to listen to their counterparts. But the delegations of France and Britain also were represented by ambassadors and junior officials instead of higher-ranking dignitaries.

Gaddafi came to the UN headquarters because the president of the assembly is Libyan diplomat Ali Treki. He was warmly greeted by Arab and African diplomats, but his appearance drew protestors outside the building.

Gaddafi said he spoke on behalf of the African Union because Libya currently holds the chairmanship of the organization.

He strongly criticized the 15-nation Security Council for making all decisions regarding UN activities. He called for more countries, particularly African nations, to become permanent members in addition to the current five.  dpa