13 April 2011 Last updated at 11:34 GMT Libya crisis: 'Race against time' for civilians
An international summit on Libya is under way in Qatar, with delegates hearing there is a "race against time" to help Libyan civilians. Qatar's crown prince said that every day that passed meant more victims. Rebels seeking to topple Col Gaddafi are making their first high-profile diplomatic appearance and will meet the newly formed "contact group" on Libya. Giving the rebels military, political and financial support will all be discussed, as will Nato's role. Ahead of the meeting, the French and British foreign ministers said Nato should be doing more in Libya. 'Isolating the regime' The "contact group" was formed at an international ministerial conference in London on 29 March and includes European powers, the US, allies from the Middle East and a number of international organisations. On his way to its summit in Qatar, British Foreign Secretary William Hague noted that the military situation had gone back and forth, telling the BBC that more pressure - both political and military - could be necessary. "What may appear at the moment a military deadlock is not a deadlock in the world of diplomacy and sanctions, the isolation of the regime, and I hope the recognition of many in the regime that it has no long-term future," he said. Continue reading the main story Analysis image of James Robbins James Robbins Diplomatic correspondent, Qatar There are three main areas of discussion in Qatar. Firstly to intensify pressure on Col Gaddafi to leave office. Britain, France and others would like to see specific language in the documents from this meeting saying that he has to go. The last meeting in London merely said that he had lost legitimacy. Getting agreement on that could be quite difficult. The second thing is to look further into Libya's future and give more active encouragement to political development by the opposition - so they can offer a more fleshed-out alternative to Col Gaddafi. The third thing is the possibility of setting up an international fund so countries can donate money directly to help support essential services in rebel-held cities. Mr Hague said he could not predict when the operation would end but said that its air strikes had "saved thousands of lives". France and Britain both want more Nato states to contribute combat aircraft to the mission in Libya, with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe saying on Tuesday that Nato's efforts in Libya were so far "not enough". "Nato must play its role fully. It wanted to take the lead in operations," he said. Italian foreign ministry spokesman Maurizio Massari said ahead of the talks that "discussion about arming the rebels is definitely on the table". Air strikes have so far failed to tip the military balance decisively against Col Gaddafi's regime. Dutch Brig Gen Mark Van Uhm, head of Nato operations in Libya, said he felt Nato was doing well "with the assets we have". The alliance had been successful in establishing a no-fly zone, protecting civilians and enforcing an arms embargo, he said. Late on Tuesday, the coalition said its air strikes had destroyed five tanks near Misrata. The Pentagon said Nato had not asked the US to increase its role in the mission. The Libyan government on Tuesday repeated its condemnation of the West's "imperialist way of thinking". Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said: "We are ready to fight if it's necessary. Not the Libyan army but every man and woman and every tribe in Libya." He also dismissed summit hosts Qatar as "more of an oil corporation than a true nation". Koussa's 'insights' Earlier this week the rebels' Transitional National Council (TNC) rejected an African Union proposal for a ceasefire in Libya, because it did not provide for Col Gaddafi's immediate departure from power. William Hague on coalition air strikes The plan included a call for an immediate end to hostilities, unhindered humanitarian aid, protection of foreign nationals, dialogue between opposing sides and an end to Nato air strikes. The Transitional National Council, which attended on the sidelines of the London conference, has been invited to address the meeting in Qatar as it continues its campaign to gain international recognition as the voice of the Libyan people. Council spokesman, Mahmud Shammam, said: "We want to move from the de facto recognition of the council to an internationally recognised legitimacy." Among those also due to attend the talks will be former Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa, who fled to the UK late last month. He is expected to meet the Qatari government on the sidelines of the talks and offer "insights" on the current situation in Libya, according to British officials. Mr Koussa is a former head of Libyan intelligence and has been accused of being involved in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. A spokesman from the UK government said that Mr Koussa was "a free individual, who can travel to and from the UK as he wishes". A Transitional National Council spokesman, Mustafa Gheriani, told Agence France-Presse that Mr Koussa was not connected to it "in any way or shape". ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! 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