Libya rebels back AU talks offer

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Gaddafi last month

The Libyan rebels have welcomed an African Union offer to open talks without the direct involvement of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

The Transitional National Council said it was the first time the AU had recognised Libyan people’s aspirations for democracy and human rights.

An AU summit at Malabo in Equatorial-Guinea agreed the offer on talks.

It also called on members to disregard an international arrest warrant issued against the Libyan leader.

An AU spokesman said the warrant, issued by the International Criminal Court, was “discriminatory”.

If heeded, the AU’s call could enable Col Gaddafi to travel freely on the continent.

The offer of talks without Col Gaddafi’s involvement followed intense debates between African leaders at the summit over two days.

The AU also called for an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of the UN no-fly zone which paved the way for Nato’s military intervention.

It said both parties should formally request the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission in Libya to monitor the implementation of a cessation of hostilities.

Rebel representatives at the summit said they would need a number of guarantees from the AU before they could agree to a ceasefire.

TNC representative Mansour Safy told reporters that the rebels were prepared to end hostilities if Col Gaddafi stepped down.

“If we see that Gaddafi withdraws, we are ready to stop and negotiate with our brothers who are around Gaddafi,” he said.

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