Muammar Gaddafi: Violence a blow to his hopes of a United Africa

The news agency said that the prosecutor accused the defendents of carrying out acts which "harmed Libya's Jamahiri political system, of obstructing the African union project and of plotting against the leading role of the Libyan Jamahiryah in this union."

Jana also said that the prosecutor presented evidence to the court that the defendents had caused sedition and division among Libyans and their African brothers in breach of order and public security.

This is the biggest political trial in Libya in recent times.

It is not clear what sentences the defendents would face if found guilty.

Agency reports said that some of the accused faced other charges, including murder and violating the sanctity of homes.

Embarrassment

The violence against the sub-Saharan immigrants in Libya last October came as a severe embarrassment to Colonel Gaddafi and a blow to his prestige in Africa.

The Libyan authorities did their best to play down the riots and said that only a few immigrants were actually killed.

But other reports including those of African diplomats estimated the death toll as being much higher.

In recent years Libya has been a magnet for tens of thousands of Africans from south of the Sahara seeking work in Libya's oil-fuelled economy.

There has been considerable opposition to this wave of immigration and as well as dissatisfaction with Colonel Gaddafi's pan Africanist policies among Libyans.

The trial is expected to last for several weeks.