US and Libya in face-to-face talks

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

The US and Libya on Saturday held their first face-to-face talks since the conflict in Libya began four months ago, officials from both governments have confirmed.

But the two sides disagreed about what was discussed – and what happens next.

The three-hour talks were held on neutral ground in Tunisia.

A US state department official said Washington agreed to the meeting, after several requests from Tripoli, in order to deliver a message to the Libyan government that its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, had to step down.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/19/us-libya-talks-tunisia

[David__77]

1. Oh yes, I'm so sure they (the US) simply repeated what's been said publicly.

I'm being sarcastic. Clearly, the US is engaging in the worst sort of cynical geopolitics. Those dying in Libya may not realize they are fodder in this ploy. I hope for a speedy defeat to the US/NATO campaign.

[joshcryer]

2. Gaddafi has refused to leave, the rebels have refused to stop until he leaves.

Neither side will accept non-preconditional talks.

[al bupp]

3. Al Aribiya English: Is Qaddafi preparing to step down in Libya?

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/07/19/158288.html">Is Qaddafi preparing to step down in Libya? Analysis by Nathaniel Sheppard Jr.

A secret meeting in Tunis Saturday between high level US officials and Libyan government representatives renewed speculation that embattled leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi is ready to step down.

Reports that the colonel was willing to relinquish his despotic, four-decade long rule with conditions first surfaced in March, and then less than a week ago when French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said Libyan emissaries had told him Mr. Qaddafi “ is prepared to leave.”

...

It is believed that Col. Qaddafi is trying to work out a favorable arrangement for his departure such as details of whether he could remain in the country or would be forced into exile. He also wants assurances that he would not be prosecuted as a war criminal for hundreds civilian deaths that have occurred at the hands of his troops during four months of protests against his rule.

Mr. Qaddafi reportedly made an offer in March, shortly after rebellion against his rule started, to quit provided that that his safety and that of his family would be guaranteed and no criminal charges brought against him. The rebels opposing him rejected that offer as offering him too honorable an exit.

If true, this is a sure sign that Gaddafi recognizes that it's just a matter of time before the jig's up. I'm not sure what course I would take were in the TNC. On the one hand, ending the fighting sooner rather than later would be good. However, given the nature of his crimes, it would be hard to see him & his family just ride off into the sunset to a life of luxury. There would also be the lingering chance of him trying to extract revenge from afar. Tough choice, I'd say.

[pampango]

4. Aljazeera: US sends 'time to go' message to Gaddafi

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/07/2011718233615749270.html

A State Department official told CNN that the meeting had taken place in Tunis, the Tunisian capital, and had lasted three hours.

The official said the meeting had been initiated by the US following contact by senior Libyan officials which had indicated Tripoli believed Washington's commitment to Gaddafi's departure from power was less firm than its international allies.

"Senior officials in the Gaddafi regime had over a period of weeks made repeated calls to senior officials in the U.S. and in those conversations they evinced an incorrect sense that somehow the United States was in a different place from other members of the international community and that the U.S. could see a future for Gaddafi in Libya," said the official.

On Monday rebels claimed they had regained control of the key oil town of Brega, 750km east of Tripoli, which has changed hands several times since fighting began in February. South of Tripoli, rebels also control the village of Qwalish, just 100km south of Tripoli, which allows opposition fighters access to the highway running north to the capital.