Gadhafi handover rumor denied
Source: Agencies |
July 6, 2011, Wednesday
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MOAMMAR Gadhafi is sounding out the possibility of handing over power, a Russian newspaper said yesterday, but the Libyan government denied it was in talks about the veteran leader stepping down.
Five months into a conflict that has embroiled NATO, there has been a flurry of reports about talks on Gadhafi ending his 41 years in power in exchange for security guarantees.
Russia's respected Kommersant newspaper based its story on a high-level source in Moscow. But the report was denied in Tripoli and Italy said it believed talk of a deal was a ruse by Gadhafi's administration.
"Information about negotiations about Gadhafi stepping down or seeking a safe refuge inside or outside the country is simply untrue," Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said yesterday.
"Gadhafi is not negotiable, this is our position of principle, and the future of Libya will be decided by Libyans. Gadhafi is an historical symbol, and Libyans will die to defend him," said Ibrahim.
Some analysts say Gadhafi is starting to contemplate an exit plan as shortages of cash and fuel, the NATO bombing campaign and rebel military pressure shorten the odds on him clinging on to power.
But Western diplomats caution that it is in Gadhafi's interests to send out conflicting signals about possible deals, in the hope that it will sow confusion among the rebels and the fragile Western alliance.
Kommersant newspaper reported Western powers, including France, were receptive to a deal with Gadhafi if he agrees to step down.
"The colonel (Gadhafi) is sending signals that he is prepared to relinquish power in exchange for security guarantees," the newspaper quoted what it called a high-level source in the Russian leadership as saying.
On Monday, the Libyan government said it held talks in Italy, Norway and Egypt with senior figures in the opposition about finding a peaceful way out of the conflict.
But the Italian government denied talks had taken place on its soil and expressed scepticism that Gadhafi's administration was sincere about talks.
"The aim of the Tripoli regime is to drive a wedge within the coalition," said Italian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maurizio Massari.
Five months into a conflict that has embroiled NATO, there has been a flurry of reports about talks on Gadhafi ending his 41 years in power in exchange for security guarantees.
Russia's respected Kommersant newspaper based its story on a high-level source in Moscow. But the report was denied in Tripoli and Italy said it believed talk of a deal was a ruse by Gadhafi's administration.
"Information about negotiations about Gadhafi stepping down or seeking a safe refuge inside or outside the country is simply untrue," Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said yesterday.
"Gadhafi is not negotiable, this is our position of principle, and the future of Libya will be decided by Libyans. Gadhafi is an historical symbol, and Libyans will die to defend him," said Ibrahim.
Some analysts say Gadhafi is starting to contemplate an exit plan as shortages of cash and fuel, the NATO bombing campaign and rebel military pressure shorten the odds on him clinging on to power.
But Western diplomats caution that it is in Gadhafi's interests to send out conflicting signals about possible deals, in the hope that it will sow confusion among the rebels and the fragile Western alliance.
Kommersant newspaper reported Western powers, including France, were receptive to a deal with Gadhafi if he agrees to step down.
"The colonel (Gadhafi) is sending signals that he is prepared to relinquish power in exchange for security guarantees," the newspaper quoted what it called a high-level source in the Russian leadership as saying.
On Monday, the Libyan government said it held talks in Italy, Norway and Egypt with senior figures in the opposition about finding a peaceful way out of the conflict.
But the Italian government denied talks had taken place on its soil and expressed scepticism that Gadhafi's administration was sincere about talks.
"The aim of the Tripoli regime is to drive a wedge within the coalition," said Italian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maurizio Massari.
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