| Submit your comments on this article |
| Africa North |
| Italy plots Gaddafi's escape route |
| 2011-03-29 |
| Efforts appear to be under way to offer Muammar Gaddafi a way of escape from Libya, with Italy saying it was trying to organise an African haven for him, and the US signalling it would not try to stop the dictator from fleeing. How about DRC? Zim-bob-we? I've got it! Ivory Coast! The move came amid mounting diplomatic and military pressure on Gaddafi as Britain tries to assemble a global consensus demanding he surrender power while intensifying air strikes against his forces. An international conference in London -- including the UN, Arab states, the African Union, and more than 40 foreign ministers -- will focus on co-ordinating assistance in the face of a possible humanitarian disaster and building a unified international front in condemnation of the Gaddafi regime and in support of Nato-led military action in Libya. On the eve of the conference, Italy offered to broker a ceasefire deal in Libya, involving asylum for Gaddafi in an African country. "Gaddafi must understand that it would be an act of courage to say: 'I understand that I have to go'," said the Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini. "We hope that the African Union can find a valid proposal." A senior American official signalled that a solution in which Gaddafi flees to a country beyond the reach of the international criminal court (ICC), which is investigating war crimes charges against him, would be acceptable to Washington, pointing out that Barack Obama had repeatedly called on Gaddafi to leave. "I can't say I know of active efforts to find him a place to go, but I would not say it has been ruled out," the official said. "The ICC has said it will ready to pursue the case, but there are also the rules of the ICC," he added, pointing out that some countries do not recognise the court's jurisdiction. British officials said they would rather see Gaddafi face trial, but if his escape was the price of a peaceful settlement they would be able to live with that. David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy tried to ratchet up the pressure on Gaddafi, issuing a joint statement on the eve of the conference declaring his era over, and indicating that his lieutenants might escape prosecution if they abandoned him immediately. "We call on all his followers to leave him before it is too late," they said. Meanwhile Obama gave a televised speech to the American people in which he explained why the US was involved in the conflict, as a response to his domestic critics over the crisis. The US president increased the pressure on Gaddafi by saying it was imperative his rule be ended. "We continue to pursue the broader goal of a Libya that belongs not to a dictator but to its people," he said. "Gaddafi has not yet stepped down from power and until he does Libya will remain dangerous." He also used his speech to emphasise that strikes against Gaddafi's forces would continue even as American leadership of the campaign transferred to Nato tomorrow. "Our coalition will keep the pressure on Gaddafi's forces," he said. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #10 Haiti. He can share a cell with that other rocket scientist, Baby Doc. |
| Posted by: mojo 2011-03-29 15:01 |
| #9 In another country he can still plot terrorism so this must not be the end game! |
| Posted by: Black Bart Phuling7750 2011-03-29 12:54 |
| #8 Don't be radiculous Thing. She's 38. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-03-29 09:52 |
| #7 Probably also wants the phone number of the ukranian nurse. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2011-03-29 08:56 |
| #6 Berlusconi wants a first hand user review before he goes. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2011-03-29 08:49 |
| #5 Besoeker takes the early lead for 'snark of the day' ... |
| Posted by: Steve White 2011-03-29 08:03 |
| #4 Well, they're the ones who have most to fear from Qadaffy deciding that he's "nothing to lose". |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-03-29 06:55 |
| #3 Any "route" that doesn't include at least one 45ACP slug is a mistake IMO. |
| Posted by: Jefferson 2011-03-29 06:53 |
| #2 We can play guess the country he goes to exile in. Venezuela is the obvious pick. In Africa, I can come up with Angola or Sudan. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2011-03-29 04:04 |
| #1 Italy plots Gaddafi's escape route The Italians were given this task? The French must be quite angry. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2011-03-29 03:30 |