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Qaddafi Vows To Fight As International Conference On Libya's Future Gets Underway

September 01, 2011

Libya's former leader Muammar Qaddafi says he will continue to fight his enemies, as diplomats are meeting in France for an international conference on the country's future.

In an audio message broadcast on Arabic news channels, Qaddafi said: "The Libyan people cannot kneel, cannot surrender, we are not women."

"Everything you hear is lies, don't believe it," he added. "Fight it with guns, fight it with bullets; let bullets speak on behalf of the Libyan people.

"If they want to enter into a long war with us, let it be so. We will fight, from place to place, from city to city, from valley to valley, from mountain to mountain, let there be a long war, and we will show them they cannot rule Libya and the Libyan people, they cannot rule our armed tribes and our armed people."

In related news, members of Libya's opposition National Transitional Council are meeting in Paris with delegations from some 60 countries and international organizations at the summit jointly hosted by France and Britain.

Delegates are expected on September 1 to discuss plans for reconstruction and the transition to democracy.

Elsewhere, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Libya's new political leadership to fight extremism and help ensure fallen leader Qaddafi's weapons do not fall into the wrong hands.

Earlier on September 1, the European Union announced it had decided to lift sanctions against 28 Libyan economic entities, including ports, banks, and oil and gas firms, while Russia and Ukraine recognized the National Transitional Council as Libya's governing authority.

Also on September 1, Libya's rebels extended by one week its deadline for the surrender of Qaddafi's hometown of Sirte. They previously gave forces loyal to Qaddafi until September 3 to surrender or face military force.

Meanwhile NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said today that operation in Libya will continue for as long as the civilian population there is in danger.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/qaddafi_vows_to_fight_on/24315230.html

Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.