International powers call on Gaddafi to step aside

INTERNATIONAL powers meeting to discuss Libya’s future have called for the first time on Muammar Gaddafi to step aside, but NATO countries squabbled publicly over stepping up air strikes to help topple him.

In a victory for Britain and France, which are leading the air campaign and pushed for an unequivocal call for regime change, the “contact group” of some 16 European and Middle Eastern nations, plus the United Nations, the Arab League and the African Union, said Gaddafi must go.

“Gaddafi and his regime has lost all legitimacy and he must leave power allowing the Libyan people to determine their future,” a final statement read.

The wording was much tougher than at a previous conference two weeks ago. Participants also said they would work to set up a financial mechanism to help rebels, fighting to end Gaddafi’s 41-year rule, run the eastern region they control.

They also called for a political settlement, to be decided by the Libyan people, and an end to attacks against civilians.

While there was agreement on the principle of removing Gaddafi, there were divisions over how to make that happen.

Disagreements surfaced on British and French calls for greater participation in the NATO air campaign against Gaddafi’s heavy weapons and on arming the rebels.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague called for more alliance members to join attacks on ground targets and his French counterpart, Alain Juppé, called for heavier military pressure on Gaddafi’s troops to convince him to leave power.

Reflecting frustration that NATO air power has not been more decisive, Juppé, called for better coordination with rebel forces on the ground in choosing targets.

United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon underlined the humanitarian disaster caused by the war, when he told the meeting up to 3.6 million people, or more than half the population, could need assistance.

Reuters