Gaddafi envoy in Britain for secret talks on exit strategy
April 1st, 2011 - 1:59 pm ICT by ANI
London, Apr.1 (ANI): Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi is reported to have sent a trusted envoy, Mohammed Ismail to London to discuss an exit strategy with the British Government.
British government sources have confirmed that Ismail, a senior aide to Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam, visited London recently amid signs that the regime may be looking for an exit strategy. His contacts with British officials are believed to have been one of many in the last fortnight.
Ismail is recognized by diplomats as being a key fixer and representative for Saif al-Islam. According to cables published by WikiLeaks, Ismail represented Libya’s government in arms purchase negotiations and as an interlocutor on military and political issues, the Guardian reports.
The Foreign Office has declined to comment on its contacts with Ismail or other regime officials, but it has been said that Gaddafi’s sons, foremost among them Saif al-Islam, Saadi and Mutassim, are anxious to talk.
Ismail’s visit was disclosed as an aftermath of Libya’s foreign minister and its former external intelligence head Moussa Koussa’s defection to Britain.
British Prime Minister David Cameron hailed the defection of Koussa as a sign the regime was crumbling.
He said: ” It tells a compelling story of the desperation and the fear right at the very top of the crumbling and rotten Gaddafi regime.”
Ministry sources said: ” Moussa Koussa is very worried about his family, but he did this because he felt it was the best way of bringing down Gaddafi.” (ANI)
- Scottish police questions Libyan defector Moussa Koussa over Lockerbie bombing - Apr 08, 2011
- Gaddafi's fugitive son says he is innocent - Oct 29, 2011
- Libya could become "new Somalia" if civil war breaks out: Koussa - Apr 12, 2011
- Relatives demand UK to grill ex Libyan FM over Lockerbie bombing - Apr 01, 2011
- Sons want to remove Gaddafi as Libya's leader, favour transition government - Apr 04, 2011
- Libyan leaders may face UN arrest for war crimes - May 04, 2011
- NTC seeks Gaddafi family's extradition - Oct 21, 2011
- Rebels tighten grip on Tripoli, capture Gaddafi's sons - Aug 22, 2011
- Gaddafi killing smacks of war crime: Prosecutor - Dec 16, 2011
- Cameron rules out deal to offer refuge to Saif Gaddafi - Apr 02, 2011
- Gaddafi's fate to be decided by Libyans: Britain - Jul 26, 2011
- Gaddafi's son Saadi granted asylum in Niger - Sep 12, 2011
- "We will never surrender": Gaddafi's son - Mar 11, 2011
- Gaddafi hiding in western border area: Rebels - Sep 28, 2011
- Gaddafi's son will face justice: ICC prosecutor - Nov 10, 2011
Tags: british officials, british prime minister, colonel gaddafi, david cameron, defection, exit strategy, external intelligence, gaddafi regime, government sources, interlocutor, libyan leader, minister david, ministry sources, mohammed ismail, purchase negotiations, saadi, saif al islam, secret talks, strategy london, wikileaks