No Libya solution with Gaddafi still in power: EU

(AFP)

Filed on June 27, 2011

BRUSSELS — The European Union opposes any solution to the war in Libya that involves Muammar Gaddafi remaining in power, the spokesman for the EU’s foreign policy chief said Monday.

The spokesman, Michael Mann, said he was unaware of reports that three Libyan government ministers were in Tunisia for talks with international parties on efforts to halt the conflict in Libya.

But he reiterated the EU’s position that Gaddafi must step down.

“Any solution involving Mr Gaddafi is not acceptable,” Mann said.

Gaddafi must leave power and allow Libyans from across the country to negotiate during a transition period, paving the way for a new constitution and elections, Mann said.

“The pre-requisite for that is that Gaddafi does not play a role in this at all. He has to leave power,” he said, adding that a ceasefire “without any pre-conditions” should be introduced.

Tunisia’s official news agency TAP reported Monday that Libyan Foreign Minister Abdelati al-Obeidi has been in Libya since last week and that he was “in negotiations with several foreign parties.”

Libyan Health Minister Mohammed Hijazi and Social Affairs Minister Ibrahim Sherif joined him on Sunday when they arrived in the tourist resort of Jerba, southern Tunisia, where the talks were underway, TAP said.