How Do You Spell that Libyan Leader’s Name?

The speech from the leader of Libya at the U.N., now in its 63rd minute, is being carried on the cable news networks this morning, with each network spelling his name differently. Some have his first name as Moammar; others as Muammar. His last name is showing up differently on the three U.S. cable networks.

• Fox News spells it Qaddafi

• CNN spells it Gadhafi

• And MSNBC spells it Khaddafy

By the way, the AP has been spelling it Moammar Gadhafi.

> Update: After about 90 minutes, the cable news networks moved on from Qaddafi/Gadhafi/Khaddafy. FNC was first to cut away around 12:29 with correspondent Eric Shawn at the U.N. CNN was next at 12:36 and MSNBC dumped out about a minute later with NBC DC bureau chief Mark Whittaker discussing the morning’s U.N. events. Qaddafi/Gadhafi/Khaddafy finally wrapped up at 12:44pmET.

> Update 2: Dr. Ahmed Ferhadi, Director of the Arabic Program at NYU tells TVNewser: “Based on the structure and pronunciation of this Arabic name, its English transliteration should be Qaddafi. The variation Qadhafi is fine, too.”

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