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Negotiating with rebels? Gaddafi
Photo: AFP

US repositioning forces around Libya

Pentagon decides to position naval, air forces near Libya in case of escalation in violence; Al-Jazeera says Gaddafi instructed intelligence chief to negotiate with rebel leaders in east. White House: Exile an option for Libyan leader

The US military is repositioning naval and air forces around Libya, a Pentagon official said on Monday, as international demands intensify for an end to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule.

 

"We have planners working and various contingency plans and I think it's safe to say as part of that we're repositioning forces to be able to provide for that flexibility once decisions are made ... to be able to provide options and flexibility," said Colonel David Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman.

 

"We're still in that planning and preparing mode should we be called upon to do any of those types of missions, whether humanitarian and otherwise."

 

Lapan declined to give details about the types of ships or units being repositioned or how US commanders plan to use them.

 

"No decisions have been made yet," he said.

 

The Pentagon now has two aircraft carriers in its naval command region that includes the Arabian Sea and Gulf, Lapan said, but does not have any carriers in the Mediterranean.

 


Anti-Gaddafi rally in Beirut (Photo: AP)

 

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera reported Monday that Gaddafi has instructed his head of intelligence to negotiate with rebel leaders in east Libya.

 

The White House said on Monday that going into exile would be one way for Gaddafi to meet international demands that he leave power.

 

After days of violent unrest in Libya, President Barack Obama said on Saturday it was time for Gaddafi to leave, but he did not spell out how he envisioned that happening.

 

"Exile is certainly one option for him," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

 

'Leave power without further violence or delay'

Carney would not discuss whether the United States would help facilitate such an exile.

 

At a news briefing, Carney also said the United States and its allies are in talks on whether to create a no-fly zone over Libya.

 

He also said the United States was in contact with opposition groups in the country.

 

"We are actively reaching out to ... those in Libya who are working to bring about a government that respects the rights and meets the aspirations of the Libyan people," he said.

 

"It's premature to make decisions about recognizing one group or the other," he said.

 

Carney said Washington had a variety of ways to contact groups in Libya through diplomats, non-governmental organizations and the business community.

 

Also on Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton implored the world to hold Gaddafi's regime to account for alleged gross atrocities that include reports of executing soldiers for refusing to turn their guns on their fellow citizens.

 

Clinton made the plea for the international community to speak with a single voice at Monday's session of the UN Human Rights Council. She said that Gaddafi must leave power "now, without further violence or delay." She addressed the body after seeing America's allies in Europe set sanctions on the Libyan government, and pledge even harder actions to come.

 

"We have seen Colonel Gaddafi's security forces open fire on peaceful protesters," Clinton said. "They have used heavy weapons on unarmed civilians. Mercenaries and thugs have been turned loose to attack demonstrators."

 

The result of these human rights abuses, Clinton said, was that "they have lost the legitimacy to govern."

 

Her assessment to the 47-nation body came amid a series of meetings Clinton held with foreign policy chiefs from Russia, top European powers and Australia. As the leaders shuffled in and out of conferences in a form of speed diplomacy, they urged concerted efforts to press Gaddafi to halt the violence and resign after 42 years in control of Libya.

 

The European Union issued travel bans and an asset freeze against senior Libyan officials, and an arms embargo on the country. Germany went further, proposing a 60-day economic embargo to prevent Gaddafi's regime from using oil and other revenues to repress his people.

 

Yitzhak Benhorin, Roee Nahmias, AP and Reuters contributed to the report

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.28.11, 19:45
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