LIBYA:FRANCE AND Britain yesterday called on supporters of Muammar Gadafy to abandon him before it was "too late" but said they did not envisage a military occupation of Libya.
Declaring that a meeting of coalition countries in London today would mark the beginning of a “political process” after more than a week of air strikes, President Nicolas Sarkozy and prime minister David Cameron said Col Gadafy “must go immediately”.
“We call on all his supporters to break with him before it is too late,” they said, urging opponents of the Libyan leader to join a process for political transition.
“We underline the fact that we do not envisage any military occupation of Libya,” a joint statement from the two leaders said. “We reaffirm our firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.” This was a rejection of the possibility, raised by some observers, that Libya could be partitioned as part of a future settlement – a prospect that would alarm many Arab states.
After making major territorial gains at the weekend by recapturing all the main oil terminals in the eastern half of Libya with the help of western air strikes, the rebels yesterday advanced towards Sirte, Col Gadafy’s birthplace and one of his strongholds. Their progress slowed as they approached the town, firing mortars and heavy machine-guns in sporadic clashes with loyalist forces.
In Benghazi, thousands gathered in a square beside the seafront courthouse turned graffitied rebel headquarters to watch updates from the frontline on alJazeera, which was projected on to the walls of the building. On Sunday the city witnessed all-night celebrations as reports trickled in that Sirte had fallen to the rebels.
The next morning, however, the celebratory gunshots and anti-aircraft artillery fire gave way to the realisation that it was not yet under the rebels’ control. Fighting continues in its hinterland.
“The situation in Sirte is more complicated than all the other cities and towns we have taken,” said one opposition supporter. “It will take time.”
In Benghazi, the de facto capital of the rebels, residents took to the streets on several occasions yesterday to express solidarity with towns further west that remain besieged by regime forces, and to show their support for rebel fighters. The rallies have become a daily occurrence, as have mass open-air gatherings for evening prayer next to the courthouse.
Russia has accused western states of breaching the terms of the UN resolution by using air strikes to help rebels in their fight.
“We see [from] media reports that officials from the countries taking part in the operation say that they are just following the aim of protecting the civilian population,” said foreign minister Sergei
Lavrov. “But, on the other hand, we see reports – and no one denies them – that coalition forces are bombing Gadafy’s forces in support of the armed rebels. Here there is a clear contradiction. We believe that coalition interference in a civil war is not sanctioned by the UN resolution.”
Coalition air attacks on government forces continued. A French military spokesman said 22 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery batteries were hit near the towns of Ajdabiya and Misurata, while the defence ministry in London said British Tornado aircraft destroyed Libyan government ammunition bunkers in the Sabha area of Libya’s southern desert early yesterday.
With diplomatic activity accelerating on the eve of the 35-state meeting in London today, Italy proposed a political deal including a quick ceasefire, exile for Col Gadafy and dialogue between rebels and tribal leaders.
Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini said he had discussed Rome’s proposals with Germany, France and Sweden and expected to do so with Turkey, which has criticised the coalition’s ground attacks.
He said an African country could offer Col Gadafy asylum, and ruled out any possibility of the Libyan leader remaining in power. “Gadafy must understand that it would be an act of courage to say: ‘I understand that I have to go’,” Mr Frattini added.
Qatar became the first Arab country to recognise the rebels as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, a move Libyan state television called “blatant interference”.
On Sunday, Nato agreed to take full command of military operations in Libya. An alliance spokeswoman said yesterday the transition would take a couple of days.
Libya accused Nato of “terrorising” and killing its people as part of a global plot to humiliate and weaken it.
The government says the air attacks have killed more than 100 civilians, a charge denied by the coalition.