Britain: Gaddafi Could Stay in Libya but Should Step down

In a clear shift in its stances, Britain said on Tuesday that embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi could be allowed to remain in Libya in return for giving up power in a broader deal including a cease-fire.

France appeared to have persuaded Britain to shift the attitude toward Gaddafi.
In talks in London late Monday, the British foreign secretary, William Hague, met his French counterpart, Alain Juppé, who said last week that “one of the scenarios” to resolve the conflict in Libya “is that he(Gaddafi) stays in Libya on one condition, which I repeat: that he very clearly steps aside from Libyan political life.”

Previously, Britain had insisted that Gaddafi leave the country as part of a settlement. That could expose him to arrest under a warrant on war crimes charges issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Hague said on Tuesday that “what happens to Gaddafi is ultimately a question for the Libyans.”
“What is absolutely clear is that whatever happens, Qaddafi must leave power. He must never again be able to threaten the lives of Libyan civilians, nor to destabilize Libya once he has left power.”

“Obviously him leaving Libya itself would be the best way of showing the Libyan people that they no longer have to live in fear of Qaddafi,” Mr. Hague said. “But as I have said all along, this is ultimately a question for Libyans to determine.”

LIBYAN PM:GADDAFI’S EXIT NOT TO BE DICUSSED
For his part, Libyan prime minister said on Wednesday the departure of Gaddafi would not be discussed in any future talks on the crisis in the North African country.

"The departure from power of Colonel Gaddafi is not up for discussion", Baghdadi al-Mahmudi said after meeting UN special envoy to Libya Abdul Ilah al-Khatib on Tuesday.

Commenting on Hague’s remarks, Mahmudi said: "With all due respect to the British foreign minister, it is not up to him to take decisions on behalf of the Libyan people".

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) which has issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and the chief of intelligence bdullah al-Senoussi has said Gaddafi cannot be left in Libya and must be arrested.