Qadhafi’s days are numbered, claim officials
Source: Gulf today
LONDON: International officials and Libya’s opposition have drawn up detailed plans to rebuild the North African nation’s economy and society following the removal of Muammar Qadhafi, British diplomats said on Friday.
The Wall Street Journal quoted a senior US national security official as saying American intelligence shows Qadhafi “doesn’t feel safe anymore” in the capital.
However, officials told the paper they did not see the move as imminent and did not believe Qadhafi would leave Libya.
Fighter spokesman Mahmud Shamam told French daily Le Figaro they were in indirect contact with the regime and may be prepared to allow Qadhafi to stay in the country, but that he and his family must agree to leave power.
A senior British diplomat, who demanded anonymity to discuss the work, said that a team of officials from the UK, United States, Italy, Turkey, Denmark and other nations has spent several weeks in eastern Libya discussing scenarios with opposition leaders.
“We are planning carefully and comprehensively for the days, weeks and months after Qadhafi has gone,” the diplomat said.
The plans, which are expected to be completed next week, include a proposed timetable for resuming oil production in Libya’s east.
Officials believe there is little serious damage there to hamper production and predict work could begin again three to four weeks after Qadhafi leaves office.
LONDON: International officials and Libya’s opposition have drawn up detailed plans to rebuild the North African nation’s economy and society following the removal of Muammar Qadhafi, British diplomats said on Friday.
The Wall Street Journal quoted a senior US national security official as saying American intelligence shows Qadhafi “doesn’t feel safe anymore” in the capital.
However, officials told the paper they did not see the move as imminent and did not believe Qadhafi would leave Libya.
Fighter spokesman Mahmud Shamam told French daily Le Figaro they were in indirect contact with the regime and may be prepared to allow Qadhafi to stay in the country, but that he and his family must agree to leave power.
A senior British diplomat, who demanded anonymity to discuss the work, said that a team of officials from the UK, United States, Italy, Turkey, Denmark and other nations has spent several weeks in eastern Libya discussing scenarios with opposition leaders.
“We are planning carefully and comprehensively for the days, weeks and months after Qadhafi has gone,” the diplomat said.
The plans, which are expected to be completed next week, include a proposed timetable for resuming oil production in Libya’s east.
Officials believe there is little serious damage there to hamper production and predict work could begin again three to four weeks after Qadhafi leaves office.
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