EU Heads Call For Gaddafi To Go

EU Heads Call For Gaddafi To Go

Leaders of the EU's 27- member states have said Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi must surrender power.

Emergency summit

The EU is holding an emergency summit in Brussels in the hope of finding a common approach to the political and humanitarian crisis.

France has urged other states to follow it in recognising the rebel's interim council, but has so far failed to gain wider support.

The summit comes as forces loyal to Gaddafi make major gains.

Western journalists in the city of Zawiya, west of Tripoli, have confirmed the Gaddafi regime's claims that the city had fallen after days of bombardment.

There are reports of fresh air strikes near the oil port of Ras Lanuf to the east, which had been held by the rebels for several days.

No-fly debate

As he arrived at the summit, European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso told newsmen: "Regarding Libya, the problem has a name: Gaddafi. He has to go."

Mr Barroso said the EU would "explore all the possibilities for that to be achieved in full respect of international law and also working in close cooperation with our allies and partners in the region".

The problem is that Gaddafi is unlikely to be swayed by words. “Europe has already played some of its best cards”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it "must be totally clear that somebody who wages war against his own people is no partner for talks with the European Union. Therefore we demand Gaddafi's immediate resignation."

Merkel said the EU must ensure it sends a united signal, as division would "only play into Gaddafi's hands".

British Prime Minister, David Cameron also said it was important to show unity.

The EU states remain divided on what response to take to the crisis.

French President, Nicolas Sarkozy has again called on his counterparts to follow him in recognising the authority of the Libyan National Council - the interim authority set up by rebels in their stronghold of Benghazi.

This stance has been strongly criticised by others.

Dutch Premier Mark Rutte described it as a "crazy move" which contradicted normal diplomatic practice, and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said: "Europeans would do well if they talk about the measures they want to decide on in the meeting and not the day before."

Merkel was reported to have been "surprised" , while her foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, said he wanted to learn the views of the Arab League and countries in the region "before we in Europe once more form our own definitive opinion before everyone else" .

"Humanitarian zones"

Mr Sarkozy has also called for "humanitarian zones" to be established in North Africa to cope with the huge numbers of refugees fleeing the violence in Libya.

And France and Britain have advocated potential targeted airstrikes on Libyan facilities - only with UN and Arab League backing - if Gaddafi attacked non-violent civilians using war planes or chemical weapons.

Report says there remains, both in Europe and Washington, great caution about this but the credibility of the EU may be at stake if it cannot agree at the summit.

UN resolution

Britain and France have also drafted a UN resolution calling for a no-fly zone to be put in place over Libya, to prevent pro-Gaddafi troops launching from the air, currently the primary advantage the regime's troops have over the rebels.

On Thursday, NATO defence ministers discussed a no-fly zone but decided more planning was needed.

The EU's foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton has said the EU must work closely with the Middle East and North African region in deciding on what approach to take and that "the Arab world has to lead" .

Baroness Ashton said there was "no rush to move forward" on the proposals without first securing a UN resolution.

The African Union has reiterated its rejection of any idea of foreign military intervention in Libya.

Zawiya 'retaken'

The summit is taking place as troops loyal to Gaddafi appear to have made major gains against the rebel forces.

After intense bombardment, reports indicate that Zawiya, 50km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, has been recaptured by the regime.

A rebel fighter in Zawira said they were all but cut off from the rest of the world and called for the imposition of a no-fly zone, saying it would mean Col Gaddafi could be defeated within a week.

On Friday, there were reports of air strikes on Ras Lanuf. Rebels had earlier reported government forces entering the city by boat and in tanks.

Reports speak of hundreds of rebels in cars and trucks fleeing eastwards on the Mediterranean coastal road.

In a TV interview, Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam warned rebels in Benghazi that government troops were on their way.

Large scale protests were held in the city after Friday prayers, calling on Gaddafi to stand down.

BBC/Margaret/Ekata