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London Diplomatic Conference Focuses on Libya's Political Future

VOA News March 29, 2011

Diplomats from world powers are meeting in London to try and map out the political future of Libya without leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Conference participants on Tuesday vowed to continue allied airstrikes enforcing a U.N. resolution allowing the use of force to protect civilians.

Promising to lead world efforts to help Libyans, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an end to fighting between rebel forces and pro-government loyalists.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said world powers have prevented a massacre by using airstrikes to cripple Gadhafi's military. She added the strikes will continue until Mr. Gadhafi complies with the U.N. dictates.

British Prime Minister David Cameron complained that forces loyal to Gadhafi are conducting "murderous attacks" on citizens in the city of Misrata.

Some 40 foreign ministers are taking part in the conference on Tuesday, which is aimed at seeking a plan for Gadhafi's exit from power.

A number of Arab states are participating, as well as representatives of the Arab League and the African Union.

Clinton 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 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, Obama said there is no question that Libya and the world would be better off if 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 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 Gadhafi to step down.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has proposed a deal that would include a cease-fire, exile for 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.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.