Russia to mediate in Libya crisis

Russia to mediate in Libya crisis

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called on Muammar Gaddafi to give up power stressing that Russia would not give shelter to the Libyan leader.

Medvedev said he had sent an envoy to the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi on Friday as part of efforts to resolve the conflict. He said he hoped the envoy would have the opportunity to speak with both sides

Earlier at the G8 meeting in France, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was ready to mediate in the Libyan crisis following a request from its partners in the G8.

"If the respectful tone that Russia maintains in its dialogue with the Libyan authorities would help Mr Gaddafi take the right decision, I think this will become our serious and significant contribution to the resolution of the grave and potentially even more dangerous situation for Libya and the region," Ryabkov said.

Negotiating Gaddafi’s exit

He also said Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had lost all legitimacy and should step down.

"Colonel Gaddafi has deprived himself of legitimacy with his actions, we should help him leave. There are no disagreements about that with G8 partners, although the tone may differ," he added.

An aide to President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters later that Russia had partners in the Libyan leader's entourage with whom it could negotiate his departure.

Other G8 officials have said they are unsure what role Moscow might play in Libya.

European diplomats said there were signs that Russian officials were apparently in contact with Libyans, but it was unclear to Western governments what that involved.

REUTERS/Williams