Libya: Muammar Gaddafi offers talks on power transfer

http://timesofearth.com/Worldnews/?NT=0&nid=40855 Tripoli - Fugitive Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi is ready to begin talks to transfer power, his spokesman has said on Sunday, world media reported.

Moussa Ibrahim, Gaddafi's spokesman, earlier told the Associated Press news agency in a phone call that Gaddafi was still in Libya and prepared to discuss the formation of a transitional government.

Ibrahim has been the most public face of the Gaddafi government in recent weeks, regularly addressing television cameras and journalists in Tripoli.

The phone call appears to represent a change of policy by Gaddafi who last week referred to the rebels as "thugs" and "rats" and urged loyalists to continue fighting even as his opponents seized control of Tripoli.

But a top official in the National Transition Council (NTC) told Reuters news agency that Libya's rebel government would not negotiate with Gaddafi unless he surrendered.

"No negotiation is taking place with Gaddafi," Ali Tarhouni, the NTC official in charge of oil and financial matters said.

Gaddafi's whereabouts remains unknown and rebels have offered a reward for his capture or killing.

Libyan rebels say they have captured the coastal town of Bin Jawad after several days of fighting with fighters loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
The anti-Gaddafi forces say they seized the town on Sunday. Bin Jawad is about 520 kilometers from the capital, Tripoli.

Rebels say they are surrounding Mr. Gaddafi's hometown, Sirte, and are negotiating with tribal leaders there for a peaceful surrender. Sirte is considered one place where the former leader may have fled to go into hiding. He has dropped out of sight since rebel fighters seized Tripoli.

Meanwhile, human rights groups say evidence indicates pro-Gaddafi forces killed at least 17 detainees and arbitrarily executed dozens of civilians as rebels moved into Tripoli.

Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa director says the execution of detainees days before they would have been freed is a "sickening low" in the Libyan government's behavior.

On August 26, Human Rights Watch found 18 bodies near a government building close to one of Moammar Gaddafi's compounds. The rights group says witnesses reported Libyan government forces killed the 18 earlier in the week.

HRW said two of the victims had their hands tied behind their backs, while two more were wearing the green scrubs of Libyan doctors and nurses.

The rights group also found 29 bodies in and around a field clinic where it says "there were signs that Gadhafi loyalists had been present."

On Saturday, Libyan rebels said they have gained control of a key border post near Tunisia, but were still fighting for control of the western city of Zuwarah.

Opposition fighters faced stiff resistance from forces loyal to Mr. Gaddafi during efforts to advance into Zuwarah, where a major supply route to Tripoli is located.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Libyan
• Muammar
• Gaddafi
• offers
• talks
• on
• power
• transfer

[MsMoneytrail]

Could Gaddafi's position be anything else? The reporter is correct an armed demonstration has turned into a civil war, with the assistance of NATO. The precedent this sets is terrifying and the UN has lost all credibility with its resolutions as well as the media. What does it say about a leader who can arm the people. Well, Switzerland can stop giving out guns to its citizens to protect against foreign invaders, they are useless against bombs and helicopters.

[MsMoneytrail]

Gaddafi wanted to save Libyan lives and that is what I call a true leader. The NTC should negotiate for if they did not have NATO bombs they wouldn't hesitate to begin talks.

[StillLibya4Libyans]

@XS7SXSNIPER Yes indeed.

[XS7SXSNIPER]

@StillLibya4Libyans The American propaganda has gotten to you.

[StillLibya4Libyans]

Fuck Gaddafi the homosexual, he’s hiding like a RAT.

[intheMixup]

nothing but lies...