 Divisions over tactics and vision split Libyan opposition groups in exile, but participants at a two-day conference agreed Sunday to unite under a "national accord" aimed at ousting Moammar Gadhafi.
| If we're involved in this, which we probably are, I hope we're being very circumspect and not involving CIA or State Department publicity hounds to work on it... |
In a final declaration, the groups addressed the United Nations, saying the global body was responsible for restoring Libya's constitution. The charter was drafted in 1951 as part of a U.N. resolution — but Gadhafi froze it after assuming power in a military coup and replaced it with martial law. "Bringing back constitutional legitimacy to Libya is a major factor towards building a stable political life," the declaration read.
| Right. The UN's going to do that. Maybe this isn't really a movement to get rid of Muammar — if so, it'll probably be successful about the time he dies of old age. But as a method of tweaking the UN's nose, it's pretty slick. It draws attention to yet another failure on the part of the Best Hope for Mankind™... |
Pro-Libyan demonstrators entered the hotel where opposition members were meeting to try to disrupt proceedings.
| But natch. We expected no less... |
Carrying the green Libyan flag and chanting pro-Gadhafi slogans, the protesters — mainly students — were asked by police and hotel security to leave the hotel. Some 200 people also rallied Sunday outside the embassy, waving Libyan flags and holding placards bearing Gadhafi's photo. They shouted "Look for peace together" and "Work for democracy together" in Arabic.
| In the context of 40 years of martial law? |
One demonstrator, Mostafa Ywali, said opposition groups were holding a meeting in London "to make trouble in Libya." Some 600 Libyan students are expected to hold a pro-Gadhafi demonstration in front of the Libyan embassy on Monday to voice support for the regime. Conference participants said the students were threatened with the loss of their scholarships if they did not join the demonstration.
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