TRIPOLI, Libya, May 28, 2011 — Russia believes Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafishould quit and could help broker his departure, a senior Russian official said on Friday in an important boost to NATO powers keen on ending his 41-year rule.

It was a striking change in tone from Kremlin criticism of NATO air strikes in Libya, which are officially intended to protect civilians in a civil war, but have effectively put the West on the side of rebels seeking Gadhafi's removal.

NATO said it was preparing to deploy attack helicopters over the Arab North African state for the first time to add to the pressure on Gadhafi's forces on the ground.

But his security forces demonstrated once again that they are far from a spent force, launching rocket attacks overnight on the rebel-held town of Zintan and fighting insurgents on the outskirts of the city of Misrata.

Russia's mediation offer was announced on the sidelines of the G8 Summit in Deauville, France, where Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed the situation with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Libya's official news agency has widely referenced Russia's criticism of Western air strikes on Libya as going beyond a UN Security Council mandate to protect civilians. Medvedev, however, emphasized that Gadhafino longer has the right to lead Libya.

"The world community does not see him as the leader of Libya," Medvedev said.

But he presented no plan to remove Gadhafifrom power. "If he takes this responsible decision -- and it would be helpful for the country and the Libyan people -- then it will be possible to discuss how to do this," he said.

Medvedev said later Russia would not give Gadhafishelter, but that others might. He said he was sending an envoy to Libya to begin talks.

Rebels welcomed the news, with the headline on the website of Libyan pro-rebel newspaper Brnieq reading: "Tightening the noose on him, Russia says Gadhafimust go."

Source: Reuters

Homeee | Contact uss | Links | Archives | Search