Libya: diplomatic initiative opens up rift between Gaddafi sons
A rift in the Gaddafi family has emerged as two hardline sons of the Libyan leader have dismissed efforts to implement a ceasefire as part of a diplomatic initiative to end the Nato bombing campaign.
Mutassim Gaddafi, the National Security Adviser and Khamis Gaddafi, the commander of elite forces, have confronted supporters of a peace plan that has circulated in diplomatic circles in Tripoli.
Diplomats have said that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, another son, had offered to act as interim president to oversee a transition to a democratic system. The offer would mean Col Muammar Gaddafi's withdrawal from power and the end of the family's tyrannical hold on power.
But one family aide said there had been arguments over Saif's initiative, which is supported by Saadi, another brother with power in the armed forces. He said: "It is not in the military interest of the government to have a ceasefire now. While we have the momentum, Mutassim wants to keep going." The official said that the brothers had argued over a ceasefire.
While Saif believes that talks would be impossible without a ceasefire, Mutassim wants to ensure the regime cannot be beaten. He is reported to have said: "People get sick of dying, we have to keep fighting until we've beaten the opposition."
Mutassim and Saif have been rivals for almost a decade. A US diplomatic cable said that Saif's overseas reputation – he cultivated British and US leaders while living in London as a PhD student – had made Mutassim jealous.
All four brothers are known to enjoy glamorous social events. The singer Beyoncé performed for Mutassim in the Caribbean at the New Year.
A Libyan official claimed that the crisis represented an opportunity for Saif to achieve reforms that were blocked by his father's oldest allies. He said: "They have hit so many brick walls with the old guard, and if they have the go-ahead, they will bring the country up quickly."
Meanwhile Libya's opposition on Monday rejected attempts by the regime to kick-start diplomatic talks, saying Col Gaddafi could not remain in Tripoli.
Col Gaddafi's acting foreign minister flew into Ankara with proposals that Tripoli has described as a road map to a ceasefire and eventual peace.
Abdulati al-Obeidi met Ahmed Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, but European diplomats had already dismissed his proposals as unacceptable. Mr Obeidi told the Greek government on Sunday that Tripoli was ready to negotiate.
"Gaddafi and his sons have to leave before any diplomatic negotiations can take place," Shamseddin Abdulmelah, a spokesman for the rebel Interim Transitional National Council. "How can you negotiate at the point of a gun?"
The rebels warned that the talks were buying time for the Gaddafi regime's onslaught on the rebel held city of Misurata, where government forces were targeting residential enclaves with artillery shelling.
But Mr Davutoglu said he would attempt to broker a ceasefire if the opportunity arose. He has invited the rebel council to Turkey for discussions in the wake of Mr Obeidi's trip.
Italy announced it would be the first country to set up a representative office in Benghazi, the rebels' base city. Kuwait also recognised the opposition as the sole voice of Libya.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, meanwhile told the Commons that Britain was willing to call for any defector who had clearly broken with Col Gaddafi to be removed from United Nations sanctions lists.
Downing St said a ceasefire – not talks about Col Gaddafi's position – was the vital first step. "There have been lots of reports of envoys and of the regime reaching out in a number of ways," a spokesman said. "The next step ... needs to be a genuine ceasefire and an end to violence. An exit strategy for Gaddafi is not something we are involved in pursuing."
Oliver Miles, the former British ambassador in Tripoli, said that proposals to send Col Gaddafi into internal exile while his sons introduced democracy were based on a fantasy. "It can't be done," he said. "As soon as Gaddafi steps down, his sons are dead in the water politically. In theory, according to Gaddafi, he's already a figurehead and holds no official role, so it should not matter if he stays or goes. The reality, however, is otherwise."
While the rebels are winning diplomatic acceptance, internal disputes are hampering their fight. A rebel insider described a squabble between the three top leaders at the weekend that resembled a childish spat. Fatah Younis, the rebels' commander-in-chief, Khalifa Heftar, a former general and Omar al-Hariri, the defence minister, were no longer on speaking terms after the heated dispute.
Notwithstanding the fractious command structure, the rebel's ragtag forces advanced into the oil town of Brega on Monday. Col Gaddafi's troops were reported to be laying landmines as they pulled back.
