Former U.S. politician to meet with Gaddafi, propose peace terms
A former U.S. politician plans to meet with Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi in Tripoli in order to propose a peace plan, according to CNN.
Former Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Curt Weldon, who has met with Gaddafi before in 2004, will offer a cease-fire plan as well as plea for him to step down from power.
Weldon also plans to meet with Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Khaim.
It's a very solemn time because there's so much at risk here, said Weldon.
I'm here to tell him face to face it's time for him to leave. It's time for him to step down, allow the people to take over the government of this country.
In an op-ed piece Weldon wrote for The New York Times, he said a ceasefire should involve the Libyan Army withdrawing from contested cities and rebel forces ending attempts to advance.
Regarding Gaddafi himself, Weldon wrote: I've met him enough times to know that it will be very hard to simply bomb him into submission. Then we must identify and engage with those leaders who, if not perfect, are pragmatic and reform-minded and thus best positioned to lead the country.”
Weldon also said that he will call for rebel forces to stop their advances and for the creation of a joint interim government run by the country’s current prime minister and the leader of the opposition.
He also envisions the formation of a parliamentary commission that would comprise U.S., Middle Eastern, European and African politicians to help establish a new parliament in Libya.
Separately, Gaddafi sent a letter to the U.S. State Department, according to a senior official of the Obama administration, although its contents were not revealed.
While Weldon meets with Gaddafi, another U.S. official, Chris Stevens, reportedly met with rebel leaders in Benghazi,
According to the State Department, Stevens will evaluate what types of practical, nonlethal assistance the United States might provide to the rebels.
Meanwhile, Gaddafi’s forces are fiercely attacking rebels in Brega in the east and Misrata in the west.
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