@AlvaroLFloresÁlvaro Lara Flores
Interesting article @AlArabiya_Eng Is Qaddafi preparing to step down in Libya?english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011
A secret meeting in Tunis Saturday between high level US officials and Libyan government representatives renewed speculation that embattled leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi is ready to step down.
Reports that the colonel was willing to relinquish his despotic, four-decade long rule with conditions first surfaced in March, and then less than a week ago when French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said Libyan emissaries had told him Mr. Qaddafi “ is prepared to leave.”
The meeting between the US officials and Libyan government envoys was described by the Libyans as a first step in the process of reconciliation but by US officials as a final warning that the colonel had to go.
Reports that the colonel was willing to relinquish his despotic, four-decade long rule with conditions first surfaced in March, and then less than a week ago when French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said Libyan emissaries had told him Mr. Qaddafi “ is prepared to leave.”
The meeting between the US officials and Libyan government envoys was described by the Libyans as a first step in the process of reconciliation but by US officials as a final warning that the colonel had to go.
“It is a first step,” said Libyan government spokesman Musa Ibrahim. “We welcome further steps. We are ready to discuss ideas to move forward, make sure that people are not harmed any more, that this conflict comes to an end and that the damaged relationship between Libya and the (United) States and other NATO countries can be repaired.”
In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper last week, Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi said his government was willing to “negotiate without conditions,” a political settlement that did could include Mr. Qaddafi’s departure, provided NATO stop it’s bombing of Qaddafi support targets.
“You don’t create democracy under bombs ... it doesn’t work like that,” he said, adding that the colonel would abide by an agreement that called on him to step down. “The Guide will not intervene in discussions. He is ready to respect the decision of the people,” he said.
In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper last week, Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi said his government was willing to “negotiate without conditions,” a political settlement that did could include Mr. Qaddafi’s departure, provided NATO stop it’s bombing of Qaddafi support targets.
“You don’t create democracy under bombs ... it doesn’t work like that,” he said, adding that the colonel would abide by an agreement that called on him to step down. “The Guide will not intervene in discussions. He is ready to respect the decision of the people,” he said.
