Libya calls for end to air strikes before talks

Libya calls for end to air strikes before talks

Libyan government has called on the UN to put a stop to NATO air strikes before it could agree on talks.

The UN envoy, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, who was trying to find a way to end the war in Libya, stated this in a report submitted to the UN.

The report says the government and the rebels remained far apart in the drive for an end to the crisis.

Non-negotiable leader

The government said that Muammar Gaddafi's role as leader was non-negotiable; though rebels and the West insist he steps down.

Libyan Prime Minister, Al-Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi said Libyan government had a productive dialogue with the UN envoy but did not negotiate about implementing UN resolutions.

"This aggression (air strikes) needs to stop immediately, without that we cannot have a dialogue, we cannot solve any problems in Libya," Mahmoudi told reporters.

He pointed out that he told the envoy that Gaddafi's position was not up for negotiation.

Traitors

A compromise appeared even more distant after Gaddafi called the rebels "traitors" and said they had no legitimacy.

He was reported to have said this in an audio speech aired live on Libyan television during a pro-government demonstration in Al Khums, 120 km (80 miles) east of Tripoli.

"Is there anyone who still pretends that he represents the Libyan people after millions came out and said 'no' to the traitors," Gaddafi told several thousand supporters, who waved posters of him and chanted slogans demanding he stay in power.

Rebels’ new demand

Meanwhile, Libya's rebel leader said on Wednesday that his council’s offer that Muammar Gaddafi could stay in the country provided he step down first has now expired.

"This offer is no longer valid," Mustafa Abdel Jalil told reporters in the rebel-held eastern city of Benghazi.

Abdel Jalil said that the offer was made about a month ago through UN envoy Abdel Elah al-Khatib, with a two-week deadline attached.

He said that the two weeks had passed and the offer was no longer valid.

Power-sharing government

Abdel Jalil pointed out that the idea of a power-sharing governmen was "laughable" one.

A rebel source said Khatib had suggested a five-member power-sharing council including two Gaddafi loyalists and two rebels.

However, he had no suggestion about who might chair the council or lead the country.

The source said the plan would worsen the situation, as the rebels believe that only the military option remained open to them to end Gaddafi's 41-year rule.

Softening line

Britain and France, which were carrying out most of the NATO bombing attacks, recently dropped their insistence that Gaddafi must leave Libya as part of any settlement, in an apparent softening of their line.

The United Nations said in a statement issued in New York that the two sides were still far apart on finding a political solution, but both said they wanted to continue to seek an end to the crisis through the United Nations.

REUTERS/Shakira/Williams