Gadhafi govt in talks, rebels say he must resign

London / Benghazi, Libya - The Libyan government has had meetings in foreign capitals with representatives of the country's opposition to try to negotiate a peace deal, a spokesman for Muammar Gadhafi's administration said on Monday.

It was not immediately clear whether the talks took place with the knowledge or endorsement of the rebel National Transitional Council. Most Western countries say the council is the Libyan people's sole legitimate representative.

The spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, said in an e-mailed statement that meetings had taken place in Italy, Egypt and Norway and were witnessed by representatives of those countries' governments. He said talks were still going on.

The statement said one of the meetings was in Rome between Libyan government officials and Abdel Fattah Younes al Abidi, Gadhafi's former security minister who defected to the rebel side in February.

"In the last few weeks and in several world capitals, high-ranking Libyan government officials have met with members of the Libyan opposition to negotiate peaceful ways out of the Libyan crisis," the statement said. "Other direct negotiations still take place as of now."

Asked to confirm that a meeting had taken place in Rome witnessed by Italian officials, an Italian foreign ministry spokesman said: "There hasn't been any (meeting), and we have not participated in any meeting."

Libyan officials have previously said they are in negotiations with the opposition, but this is the first time they have given details on which figures they were talking to.

Meanwhile, Gadhafi is welcome to live out his retirement inside Libya as long as he gives up all power, Libya's rebel chief said in the clearest concession the rebels have so far offered.

Gadhafi has resisted all international calls for him to go and said he will fight to the end, but members of his inner circle have given indications they are ready to negotiate with the rebels, including on the Libyan leader's future.

Gadhafi is still holding on to power, five months into a rebellion against his 41-year rule and despite a NATO bombing campaign and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.

"As a peaceful solution, we offered that he can resign and order his soldiers to withdraw from their barracks and positions, and then he can decide either to stay in Libya or abroad," rebel leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil said.

"If he desires to stay in Libya, we will determine the place, and it will be under international supervision. And there will be international supervision of all his movements," said Jalil, who heads the rebels' National Transitional Council.

Speaking in his eastern Libyan stronghold of Benghazi, Abdel Jalil, Gadhafi's former justice minister, said he made the proposal about a month ago through the United Nations but had yet to receive any response from Tripoli.

He said one suggestion was that Gadhafi could spend his retirement under guard in a military barracks.

Abdel Jalil's remarks stirred an emotional reaction in Benghazi, with a small protest against any talks with Gadhafi breaking out outside a hotel, and the rebel council playing down any speculation about a widening rift among its leaders.

Reuters

(China Daily 07/05/2011 page12)