Gaddafi eyeing exit deal from Libya: Reports

Tripoli, Mar 8: With Libyan Army resorting to violent crushing of protesters and with no end in sight for the political turmoil due to Muammar Gaddafi's insistence on clinging on to power, there are now reports in the Arabian media that Gaddafi was on the look out for an exit deal.

However there has been no official confirmation of the same.

Al Jazeera has reported that Gaddafi had called on Libyan rebels to hold a parliamentary meeting to carve out exit plans for him with certain guarantees. While no one exactly knows what are the guarantees he is seeking, but it is widely expected that he may call for a safe exit out of Libya and also to retain his assets around the world.

Al Jazeera quoted sources in the Libyan interim Council as saying that Gaddafi wanted guarantees of personal safety for him and his family as also a deal that they will not be put on trial.

It was not only Al Jazeera that broke this news of a possible deal, the London-based daily Asharq al-Awsat and UAE-based daily al-Bayan also quoted anonymous sources as saying that Gaddafi was looking for a deal for safe exit.

Even Reuters, the international news-wire, has cited a source close to the interim council as saying, "one formula being proposed by the other side would see Gaddafi hand power to the head of parliament and leave the country with a certain guaranteed sum of money.I was told that this issue of money is a serious obstacle from the national council's point of view."

What has let credence to the rumours is the fact that Jadallah Azous Al-Talhi, a prime minister of Libya in the 1980s and a leading member of the ruling establishment has appealed to rebel leaders for dialogue. Until now, this is the clearest sign that Gaddafi may be ready to step down.

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