ASHARQ ALAWSAT: Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat – Libyan official sources have revealed that there are secret efforts being conducted by officials in the Gaddafi regime to find a way out of the current crisis and which aim to ensure the safety and continuation of the Libyan regime.The official sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Colonel Gaddafi, who just two days ago was threatening to crush the coalition forces, has hinted that he would be willing to enter negotiations to discuss possible resolutions to the current situation in Libya. This indication of Gaddafi's willingness to now enter negotiations was made by a number of senior Libyan officials during communications with several foreign parties outside of the country. The Libyan officials, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, said that Colonel Gaddafi has sought the help of some western figures, who have decades-long friendly relations with him, to convince the international community to halt the air strikes against his forces and instead move towards a negotiated solution.
The source said that Gaddafi had submitted an offer through these western contacts that he would be willing to sit down at the negotiating table to search for an honorable solution to the current crisis; however the source did not disclose whether this solution would include Gaddafi stepping down from power.
Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa is reportedly in contact with a number of officials within the US administration, including US Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman.
Asharq Al-Awsat also received information that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has left the Libyan capital Tripoli, and traveled abroad, to work out an urgent plan to prevent the political and military situation in the country from further deteriorating.
Gaddafi's son, who has no official position in the Libyan state, has close relations with a number of western and American business figures; however his reputation within Libya has suffered since he issued inflammatory comments warning the people of Libya against protesting[.] » | Khaled Mahmoud | Saturday, March 26, 2011
