Egyptian tribes propose a peace initiative on Kaddafi and rebels
Several Egyptian tribes which share family relations in Libya, have proposed on Colonel Muaamar Kaddafi to cease fire then relinquish power to one of his close assistants, namely Abdessalem Djeloul or Abu Bakr Younes Djaber, current Minister of Defense.
- The proposal comprises also holding either referendum, to decide whether Kaddafi to remain in power or to leave, or organizing elections putting ahead Kaddafi and a representative of the opponent National Transition Council, under the supervision of international observers and a joint Arab and foreign army, while ballots should be opened in the United Nations headquarters in New York.
- Cheikh Attia Abd Al Rahim, an elder of an Egyptian tribe, near border with Libya, told Echorouk on Saturday: “We’ve been 34 elders who met Kaddafi in Beb al Azizia, on March 17th, to propose our peace initiative. He had welcomed us and accepted our frank speech and our critics to his regime. At the beginning he rejected any dialogue with easterners (rebels), but we told him that it’s better to negotiate with the rebels who possess arms and tanks, before the West comes and occupies Libya and its people.”
- “Later on Kadaffi said he will consider the initiative and deliver his response within 48 hours time,” Cheikh Attia concluded.
- However, an exile rebel leader in Switzerland, Fathi al Warfali, has confirmed receiving the Egyptian peace initiative, which he qualified as “unclear,” and “needs further explanations.”
- He further added that “if really Kaddafi wants to avoid more bloodshed, he has to leave the country, and before that he has to stop raids on Libyan towns, and stop interrupting water and electricity supply on towns subjecting a siege.”