Muammar al-Gaddafi: Coalition Changing Position on Future of Libyan Leader?
In the four months since NATO began its mission in Libya it appears as though the forces that support the NATO-led operation may be easing their stance on Gaddafi.
Three of the powers that are backing the NATO-led forces; Britain, the United States, and France have alluded to the potentiality of allowing Gaddafi to stay in Libya if he is willing to step down from his 42-year reign of power.
All powers have stated that it would be the ultimate decision of the Libyan people to determine if Gaddafi would eventually stay or not.
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The concession comes at a time when Gaddafi faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
Thus, the seeming change in stance by the Western-led coalition reflects a divergence with the ICC and the tenants of international justice, or may simply signal a different approach to ending the months long cycle of fighting and stalemate that has taken over Libya.
Nevertheless, the ICC fired back on coalition forces, stating that under ICC warrants a new government in Libya would be required to arrest Gaddafi.
ICC spokeswoman Florence Olara stated, "Any negotiation or deal has to respect UN Security Council Resolution 1970 and the ICC's decision."
The UN Security Council Resolution 1970 was adopted in February of 2011 and was the first time that the Security Council unanimously referred a country to the International Criminal Court.
Regardless of NATO's waning position and the ICC's arrest warrant, Gaddafi has defiantly insisted that he will remain in power.
In a state media broadcast on Thursday, Gaddafi challenged NATO to launch ground offensives saying, "We are here waiting for you. And so are the Mediterranean fish."
Furthermore, Libya's Deputy Foreign Minister, Khaled Kaim, announced at a news conference that there would be absolutely no negotiations until NATO airstrikes cease.
The weakening stance of coalition forces has drawn skepticism from rebel forces, but has also singled a willingness of the rebel-backed Transitional National Council to be flexible on Gaddafi's future.
The Transitional National Council suggested a willingness to negotiate with Gaddafi so long as all political power is relinquished from the autocratic leader.
Rebel fighters are skeptical of Gaddafi staying in Libya, as Gaddafi, his family, and his loyalists control key economic infrastructure that is critical to the functioning of the county.
Rebel fighter, and former Gaddafi bodyguard, Tarek Ali stated, "Gaddafi cannot remain in Libya because if he is here, we will never know peace. You cannot seriously believe he is going to live in a house by the sea as a retired man."
On Thursday, Rebel forces launched a major offensive that proved to be successful with the capturing of five towns and the surrounding of another.
With the successful offensive, rumors are floating around about rebels holding leadership negotiations with Gaddafi.
