Libya updateGaddafi government accepts AU peace plan
The disorganization and lack of military effectiveness of the anti-Gaddafi rebels have led coalition leaders to conclude that the opposition can overthrow Qaddafi even with air support, and some are weighing options such as arming the fighters even while attempting diplomatic solutions; such a solution may be offered by an AU “road map” to peace in Libya which, according to AU sources, Gaddafi has accepted; trouble is, Qaddafi enjoys substantial support from countries of the AU, an organization that he chaired two years ago and helped transform using Libya’s oil wealth, so it is not clear whether rebels would accept the AU as a fair broker, and the AU plan as a fair plan
Gaddafi waits for the rebel response // Source: africanvibes.com
The situation on the ground is stalemated, and, in fact, tilting against the anti-Gaddafi rebels, whose disorganization and lack of military effectiveness have made it impossible for them to capitalize on the damage the coalition forces have inflicted on Gaddafi’s air force and ground forces. Foxx News reports that members of the international community have grown doubtful that the opposition can overthrow Gaddafi even with air support, and some are weighing options such as arming the fighters even while attempting diplomatic solutions. On the political front, however, there appears to be a move toward a resolution of the conflict. South African president Jacob Zuma says the Libyan government has accepted an African Union peace plan to end the eight-week-old conflict.
The BBC reports that Zuma and three other African leaders met Libya’s leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, in Tripoli on Sunday. An AU team is now going on to the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi.
In Ajdabiya, pro-Gaddafi forces have pushed back rebels in fierce fighting. NATO says its planes destroyed twenty-five government tanks on Sunday alone.
The African Union’s road map calls for an immediate cease-fire, opening channels for humanitarian aid and talks between the rebels and the government.
“The brother leader [Col. Gaddafi] delegation has accepted the roadmap as presented by us,” Zuma declared. “We have to give the ceasefire a chance,” he said, after several hours of talks.
Zuma is now returning to South Africa. His foreign minister and the other AU heads of state will travel to Benghazi on Monday.
The British-based representative of the Libyan opposition leadership, Guma al-Gamaty, has told the BBC that they would look carefully at the AU plan, but that any deal designed to keep Colonel Gaddafi or his sons in place would not be acceptable.
An AU official said the idea of Col. Gaddafi stepping down had been discussed, but gave no further details.
“There was some discussion on this but I cannot report on this. It has to remain confidential,” said AU
Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra. “It’s up to the Libyan people to chose their leaders democratically.”
Fox News notes that Qaddafi enjoys substantial support from countries of the AU, an organization that he chaired two years ago and helped transform using Libya’s oil wealth. So it is not clear whether rebels would accept the AU as a fair broker.
Though the AU has condemned attacks on civilians, last week its current leader, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, decried foreign intervention in Libya’s nearly two-month-old uprising, which he declared to be an internal problem.
