Thaindian News

Tripoli, Mar 9 (ANI): Representatives of forces opposing Muammar al-Gaddafi have claimed that the Libyan regime had offered them to negotiate terms of the dictator’s departure, but the authorities in the oil-rich country have denied to have made such a move.

Fox News quoted Mustafa Gheriani, a spokesman for the newly created Interim Governing Council in Benghazi, as saying that a man who claimed to represent Gaddafi had made contact with the council to discuss terms for the dictator to step down.

However, he said that the council was not sure whether the man was acting on his own initiative or was in fact a representative of the Libyan leader.

“But our position is clear. No negotiations with the Qaddafi regime,” Gheriani said, after declining to say when contact was made or reveal the identity of the purported envoy.

The Libyan state television has denied that Gaddafi had sent an envoy to negotiate with the rebels.

At least 20 people were injured Tuesday as airstrikes by pro-Gaddafi forces continued in Ras Lanouf with the intention of suppressing the rebels.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron has said that the world cannot “stand aside” and allow violence to continue in Libya, and insisted that the global leaders should be prepared to stop Colonel Muammar Gaddafi if he “goes on brutalising his own people.”

Cameron also said that he had a telephonic conversation with US President Barack Obama on Tuesday over concerns after forces loyal to Gaddafi launched more air strikes, and added that both of them had discussed preparations for future options over the matter.

“We have got to prepare for what we might have to do if he [Gaddafi] goes on brutalising his own people,” he said. (ANI)