US dismisses Libya’s proposal to hold elections
June 17th, 2011 - 4:31 am ICT by IANSWashington, June 17 (IANS) The United States has rejected a suggestion to hold elections in Libya, stating Thursday that it was “a little late” for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to broach any proposals as his days were numbered, Xinhua reported.
US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland dismissed the proposal made by Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam, who told an Italian newspaper Thursday that his father was willing to call elections and step aside if he lost.
“It’s a little late for any proposals by Gaddafi and his circle for democratic change. It’s time for him to go,” Nuland told reporters at the department.
She said that the pressure the international community has brought to bear on Gaddafi and his regime is “having an effect,” with over 50 senior-level diplomatic and government officials having defected.
“So the guy is getting increasingly lonely, increasingly isolated. His days are numbered,” she added.
NATO forces have intensified strikes against Tripoli and the neighbouring areas during past several weeks.
On March 19, the world’s major powers, the Britain, the US and France, started launching strikes from air and sea against Gaddafi’s forces after the UN Security Council passed a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorised “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya.
NATO has formally taken over full command and control of military operations against Libya from the US since March 31.
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Tags: authorised, civilians, democratic change, department spokeswoman, fly zone, government officials, libya, libyan leader muammar, march 19, military operations, muammar gaddafi, nato forces, necessary measures, neighbouring areas, saif al islam, state department, tripoli, un security council, victoria nuland, xinhua