Saif Gaddafi, Col Gaddafi's son, is proposing to end the Libyan conflict with a deal that would see his father relinquish power for a transition to democracy, it is claimed. Under the proposal, Saif, one of Gaddafi's inner circle, would lead the transition to constitutional democracy, according to a diplomat with close ties to the Libyan government.
However, neither Col Gaddafi nor the rebels appear ready to accept such a proposal, the diplomat added.
The alleged proposal comes as Col Gaddafi despatched a trusted adviser to Greece for talks that could signal the Libyan leader’s readiness to stand down.
Abdulati al-Obeidi, who has emerged as the Libyan regime’s acting foreign minister after the defection to London last week of Moussa Koussa, was meeting George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, in Athens last night.
He is the first senior envoy sent by Col Gaddafi since the international coalition started to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya. Greek officials said Mr Obeidi, who recently was said to be close to defection himself, was carrying a message from Col Gaddafi. . The trip raised the prospect that the Libyan leader would be willing to seek a ceasefire and to acknowledge international demands for his removal. Mr Papandreou’s office said he was meeting Mr Obeidi “at the request of the Libyan prime minister”, Al-Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmudi.
Reports suggested that Mr Obeidi had travelled to Tunisia with Mr Koussa last week, but stopped short of fleeing to Britain with his boss. There is said to be a growing realisation within the Gaddafi regime that international isolation will inflict a grim toll on Tripoli.
Following the meeting, Dimitris Droutsas, the Greek foreign minister, said: "From the Libyan envoy's comments it appears that the regime is seeking a solution."
Mr Obeidi, who is a heavyweight in Col Gaddafi’s shrinking group of advisers, appears to believe that a package of reforms and transition to a new type of leadership, even a new leader, can be worked out.
Some Libyan officials privately acknowledge this would see the removal of Col Gaddafi – with internal exile in the desert one possible proposal. Last night it was reported that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the reformist son of the “Brother Leader”, had proposed that Libya could transfer to democracy under his stewardship.
Mr Obeidi said last week that he was working for a “mutual solution” between a regime clinging to power and the international position that Col Gaddafi’s survival is incompatible with Libya’s rehabilitation.
“We are trying to talk to the British, the French and the Americans to stop the killing of people,” he said. “We should concentrate on democracy and a constitution, which we are already doing.” British officials stressed that it was early days, and that the Libyan leader had already declared two ceasefires only to break them. A source added: “We will judge them on his actions, not their words. We are not getting too excited about someone flying to Greece.”
A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment, while a Foreign Office spokesman said: “It would be wrong to speculate.”
Diplomats remained sceptical last night that Mr Obeidi would be able to deliver a shift in Col Gaddafi’s grip on power. As far as his domestic audience is concerned, Col Gaddafi is determined to eliminate any challenge to his revolution. State television remains dominated by his rallying cry to clear out the “rats” in every street, alley and house.
“It may amount to something and it may amount to nothing,” said one diplomat. “The fact of the matter is that Libya has not offered a coherent position, but we look forward to something that could offer a route to discussions.”
A Greek foreign ministry spokesman said the regime had signalled its readiness to comply with the UN resolution on protecting civilians under certain conditions.
(www.telegraph.co.uk)
Following the meeting, Dimitris Droutsas, the Greek foreign minister, said: "From the Libyan envoy's comments it appears that the regime is seeking a solution."
Mr Obeidi, who is a heavyweight in Col Gaddafi’s shrinking group of advisers, appears to believe that a package of reforms and transition to a new type of leadership, even a new leader, can be worked out.
Some Libyan officials privately acknowledge this would see the removal of Col Gaddafi – with internal exile in the desert one possible proposal. Last night it was reported that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the reformist son of the “Brother Leader”, had proposed that Libya could transfer to democracy under his stewardship.
Mr Obeidi said last week that he was working for a “mutual solution” between a regime clinging to power and the international position that Col Gaddafi’s survival is incompatible with Libya’s rehabilitation.
“We are trying to talk to the British, the French and the Americans to stop the killing of people,” he said. “We should concentrate on democracy and a constitution, which we are already doing.” British officials stressed that it was early days, and that the Libyan leader had already declared two ceasefires only to break them. A source added: “We will judge them on his actions, not their words. We are not getting too excited about someone flying to Greece.”
A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment, while a Foreign Office spokesman said: “It would be wrong to speculate.”
Diplomats remained sceptical last night that Mr Obeidi would be able to deliver a shift in Col Gaddafi’s grip on power. As far as his domestic audience is concerned, Col Gaddafi is determined to eliminate any challenge to his revolution. State television remains dominated by his rallying cry to clear out the “rats” in every street, alley and house.
“It may amount to something and it may amount to nothing,” said one diplomat. “The fact of the matter is that Libya has not offered a coherent position, but we look forward to something that could offer a route to discussions.”
A Greek foreign ministry spokesman said the regime had signalled its readiness to comply with the UN resolution on protecting civilians under certain conditions.
(www.telegraph.co.uk)
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