Arab World

ARAB WORLD | 01.04.2011

Germany urges political solution as Libyan rebels consider ceasefire

 

Germany and China want a political solution in Libya

The foreign ministers of both Germany and China have said the crisis in Libya cannot be solved with military means. Meanwhile, rebels have said they would accept a ceasefire under certain conditions.

 

Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has reiterated Germany's call for a political solution to end the crisis in Libya, saying on a visit to China Friday that "military means" were not the answer.

"There can only be a political resolution and we must get the political process underway. That should begin with a ceasefire that [Libyan leader Moammar] Gadhafi must heed to allow the peace process to begin," he said after talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Foreign Minister Yang Liechi said he was "very concerned" by recent developments in Libya as the conflict showed no signs of abating.

"We see and hear every day reports that more civilians have been injured and killed and that the military action is likely to escalate," Yang said. All countries should respect the "spirit of the Security Council's resolution."

Both Germany and China abstained in the UN Security Council vote on a resolution authorizing the implementation of a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" and are not taking part in the allied military operations.

Conditions for ceasefire

Rebels have set out conditions for a ceasefireMeanwhile Libya's opposition rebels have said they would be prepared to adhere to the UN-mandated ceasefire provided Gadhafi fulfills certain conditions.

"We agree on a ceasefire on the condition that our brothers in the Western cities have freedom of expression and also that the forces that are besieging the cities withdraw," said Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the leader of the Transitional National Council, after a meeting with the UN's special envoy to Libya.

There have been unconfirmed reports that a senior Gadhafi aide held talks with British officials in London on paving the way for Gadhafi's exit. The British Foreign Office refused to confirm or deny that Mohammed Ismail, an aide to Gadhafi's son Saif al-Islam, had been in talks with UK authorities.

"We are not going to provide a running commentary on our contact with Libyan officials," said a spokeswoman. "In any contact that we do have, we make it clear that Gadhafi has to go," she added.

The news comes after Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa - one of Gadhafi's closest advisers - defected and arrived in London on Wednesday. 

Author: Rob Mudge (dpa, Reuters, AFP, AP)
Editor: Martin Kuebler

 

 

DW