THE SO-CALLED international “contact group” on Libya yesterday called on Muammar Gadafy to relinquish power as fighting between his forces and rebel fighters continued to get further bogged down in stalemate.
In what was considered a diplomatic victory for Britain and France, both of which have pressed for an unequivocal call for regime change, the group comprising some 16 European and Middle Eastern nations, plus the UN, the Arab League and the African Union, for the first time urged Col Gadafy to step down.
“Gadafy and his regime has lost all legitimacy and he must leave power, allowing the Libyan people to determine their future,” it said in a statement more strongly worded than what was released at a previous conference this month.
The group’s members, meeting in Qatar’s capital Doha, also pledged to work towards establishing a financial mechanism to help rebels run Libya’s eastern flank, which has been under their control for almost two months. It said the rebel national council, headquartered in the eastern city of Benghazi, was “in contrast with the current regime . . . a legitimate interlocutor, representing the aspirations of the Libyan people”.
The group called for a political settlement, to be decided by the Libyan people; an end to violence against civilians; and the withdrawal of regime forces from towns they had occupied or besieged, including the western city of Misurata, where hundreds of civilians are reported to have died.
The group also agreed to provide “material support” for the rebels. This point was not elaborated upon but observers said this might be interpreted as supplying weapons, which the rebels have long requested.
But beneath the strong words at Doha on the principle of removing Col Gadafy, there are disagreements over how to proceed in addressing the impasse on the ground in Libya.
British foreign secretary William Hague has called for more Nato allies to contribute to attacks on regime targets and his French counterpart, Alain Juppé, has pushed for heavier military pressure on Col Gadafy’s forces.
On Tuesday Mr Juppé said Nato had not done enough to stop the regime pummelling rebel-held Misurata. Rebels reported further heavy fighting in Misurata yesterday but claimed they were making gains against government forces bombarding the city.
Belgian foreign minister Steven Vanackere said the UN resolution approved last month which authorised a no-fly zone and military action to protect civilians from Col Gadafy’s forces ruled out arming civilians and he saw no need to expand the air campaign.
Rebels attending the Doha gathering repeated complaints that more support was needed to bolster their position.
They claimed Nato was using “minimum” power and should increase attacks on the regime’s heavy artillery. The rebels also said they would ask for $1.5 billion (€1 billion) in aid for civilians.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon highlighted the humanitarian crisis triggered by the war, telling the meeting that up to 3.6 million people, or more than half of Libya’s population, may need assistance. The World Food Programme has warned that food supplies are not being adequately restored in the country.
“Libya faces a humanitarian crisis following an unprecedented level of upheaval and violence,” it said.
“According to available information, mainly from the eastern parts of the country, the food that is in the country is being consumed, without being adequately replenished.” A WFP-chartered ship carrying enough food for 40,000 people for a month reached Misurata last week.
* Libyans living in Ireland are appealing for donations to help organise an aid convoy which will leave Ireland on April 24th for the Tunisian border with Libya. The convoy has been launched by the Dublin-based Libyan Social Solidarity Association.
In Dublin, donations are being received at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh, Dublin; the Islamic Foundation of Ireland on South Circular Road, Dublin; the Muslim Association of Ireland at Greenhills Business Park in Tallaght, Dublin; and the Multicultural Resource Centre, 44 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin. There will also be donation points in Cork city centre on Saturday, which is the main collection day.