London Talks Begin to Craft Post-Gadhafi Libya

Diplomats from world powers have begun meeting in London to try to map out the political future for a Libya without leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Some 40 foreign ministers are taking part in the conference on Tuesday, which is aimed at seeking a plan for Mr. Gadhafi's exit from power. A number of Arab states are participating, as well as representatives of the Arab League and the African Union.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is in London for the conference, met earlier in the day with Libyan opposition envoy Mahmoud Jibril.

A senior Obama administration official said Tuesday that the U.S. will send its own envoy to Libya soon to meet with rebel leaders.

The official said U.S. diplomat Chris Stevens will travel to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi to establish better ties with groups seeking to oust Mr. Gadhafi. The move does not constitute formal recognition of the opposition.

In a televised speech late Monday, U.S President Barack Obama said the United States must act when its interests and values are threatened.

In his speech, Mr. Obama said there is no question that Libya and the world would be better off if Mr. Gadhafi were not in power. But he said broadening the U.N. authorized military mission to include regime change in Libya would be a mistake.

The speech was designed to address the concerns of those in Congress and elsewhere who have criticized Mr. Obama for failing to clarify U.S. goals.

Britain, meanwhile, hopes the London meeting will strengthen the international commitment to the United Nations-authorized military action in Libya.

On Monday, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for Mr. Gadhafi to step down.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has proposed a deal that would include a cease-fire, exile for Mr. Gadhafi and a framework for talks between rebels and tribal leaders.

Russia has opposed the international military intervention in Libya, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying Monday that the coalition attacks on pro-Gadhafi forces have gone beyond what was authorized by the U.N.

Tags: Libya, Nd, React, Upd
Posted in Middle East