Gaddafi 'willing to give up power if his son can run in elections'

Colonel Gaddafi has offered to give up power if his son is allowed to stand in future elections, it was claimed yesterday.
The Libyan dictator - still in power despite an uprising lasting five months - is also said to be seeking 'security guarantees' in return for ending his 42-year-reign.This includes being allowed to stay in the north African nation.
Respected Russian newspaper Kommersant quoted 'high-level' Kremlin sources in reports that the tyrant was in negotiations about quitting.
However, Gaddafi still hopes his family can retain a major role in Libya, insisting that his son Saif al-Islam be allowed to contest future elections.
The condition is unlikely to be accepted by the National Transitional Council, the rebel 'government' in Benghazi.
Last week Saif made further threats against Nato allies, including Britain, saying they had made themselves 'legitimate targets'.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi and his son for crimes against humanity, including murder and torture.Several bomb blasts shook Tripoli yesterday afternoon as coalition warplanes roared overhead.A Libyan army captain admitted airstrikes are preventing their forces from operating 'in a normal coordinated way'.
Gaddafi spokesman Moussa Ibrahim dismissed reports that the Colonel was considering cutting a deal as 'simply untrue'.
He added: 'Gaddafi is not negotiable. Libyans will die to defend him.'
The regime claims to have been in contact with rebel leaders abroad in countries such as Italy and Norway. But these talks were about 'a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the start of a dialogue between Libyans', said Mr Ibrahim.
The Ministry of Defence said RAF jets used missiles to destroy two tanks, seven armoured vehicles, a command post and three warehouses of military supplies at the weekend.
A senior Libyan official claimed that progress has been made in talks with rebels on ending more than four months of fighting, but a top rebel leader denied that any negotiations are taking place.
No cease-fire: Head of National Transitional Council Mustafa Abdel Jalil has denied reports of negotiations to end the civil war
Rebel leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil also distanced himself from earlier comments attributed to him that Gaddafi might be allowed to stay in the country as part of a transition deal, provided he resigns and orders a cease-fire.
'The Libyans do not want Gadhafi to stay even if he's dead ... after what he's done while in power and during the revolt against him,' Mr Abdul-Jalil said yesterday.
In the Libya's capital, Tripoli, Khaled Kaim, Colonel Gaddafi's deputy foreign minister, told reporters that talks with various rebel officials have been going on for two months.
He said the negotiations have included some members of the transitional council based in the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi, though he acknowledged that 'of course there are elements within the rebellion who are not in favor in talks.'
The aim of the discussions, taking place outside Libya and over the phone, is to halt hostilities and set a framework for further dialogue, he said.
Asked if progress has been made, he said: 'In some areas, yes, of course.'
However, Mr Abdul-Jalil said that 'there are no talks underway with Gaddafi's loyalists, direct or indirect.'Nato has been carrying out airstrikes against Gadhafi-linked military targets since March.
It has been joined by a number of Arab powers, including the wealthy Gulf states of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
He said they have been forced to keep missions secret and work in small groups using pickup trucks like the rebels to avoid detection by NATO planes.
The officer, who is originally from Mali and now holds Libyan nationality, said many suspected rebels have been arrested in Tripoli.
Colonel Gaddafi still retains significant support, including among several Libyan tribes, said the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of punishment.
Also yesterday, Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam warned Western powers involved in Nato's bombing campaign could become targets if they continue to support the forces trying to oust his father.
In an interview on French television, the younger Gaddafi said Libya is ready to call a cease-fire, adopt a new constitution and hold democratic elections.
But he warned that by supporting the Libyan opposition, Western countries 'are going to be a reasonable target for us.'

---

Posted: at 6-07-2011 04:19 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

that man has suck blood so he is not ready to give up

---

Posted: at 9-07-2011 03:33 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

See his face like a dictator. He wants his son to be allowed in future elections so he can have the chance to rig them in his son's favor and continue his dictatorship.

---

Posted: at 9-07-2011 11:19 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

They should solve their problems themselves with no external forces like NATO....The latter is for oil bargain with the rebels...

---

Posted: at 10-07-2011 05:14 PM (12 years ago) | Hero