Peace initiative falls short in Libya
Gadhafi won’t step down but open to ‘road map’
TRIPOLI, Libya – South African President Jacob Zuma’s much-anticipated meeting on Monday with Moammar Gadhafi did not yield a cease-fire between Libyan government forces and rebels, and Gadhafi’s regime suffered a new blow with the defections of eight senior military officers.
Zuma presented Gadhafi with an African Union proposal to end the fighting in Libya, but reportedly not Gadhafi’s departure. The South African president, who met with Gadhafi in the leader’s heavily fortified Bab al-Aziziya compound, later said Gadhafi appeared ready to “implement the road map.”
Officials did not reveal an exit strategy for Gadhafi, who has rejected demands from rebels and allied governments that he leave office.
Gadhafi’s determination to remain in power – and his opponents’ insistence that he go – have proved an unmovable barrier, thwarting all efforts to end the violence that has ravaged this North African nation for more than three months. Expectations that Zuma’s visit would yield a breakthrough appeared dashed.
After meeting with Gadhafi, the South African president reiterated his support for a plan proposed by African leaders that would lead to a cease-fire and peace negotiations. The African Union, a confederation of African nations, has criticized NATO airstrikes in Libya and called for talks.
But rebels and NATO have already rejected the so-called African road map, which would allow Gadhafi to remain in power during negotiations.
The impasse raises the specter of escalated attacks by NATO, which has warned in recent days of a renewed onslaught with attack helicopters and 2,000-pound, bunker-busting bombs aimed at Gadhafi’s compound and other targets.
Earlier Monday, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a speech in Bulgaria that Gadhafi’s “reign of terror is coming to an end.”
“Even those closest to him are departing, defecting or deserting,” Rasmussen said.
Eight military officers – five generals, two colonels and a major – announced Monday that they had defected from the regime’s forces and planned to enlist in the revolt based in the eastern city of Benghazi.
The military defectors joined a roster of former Gadhafi officials – including former Cabinet officers, diplomats and members of the military –who have abandoned the government. Rebels say the defections have deeply bruised the regime’s morale.
Late Monday, Libyan state television reported that NATO airstrikes killed 13 people west of the rebel-held city of Misurata, which is about 120 miles east of Tripoli. NATO had no immediate comment.