News / Africa

Libyan PM: No Talks on Gadhafi Departure

Libya's Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi (file photo)
Libya's Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi (file photo)
TEXT SIZE - +

Libya's prime minister says leader Moammar Gadhafi's departure is not up for discussion.

Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi also said Tuesday there will be no way to have dialogue on Libya's political crisis until what he called NATO "aggression" stops.

He commented after talks with a U.N. special envoy, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, who met with the Libyan opposition on Monday in Benghazi.

In Brussels, a NATO spokeswoman said allied forces will continue military operations in Libya for as long as needed, and that Moammar Gadhafi "cannot wait us out."  Carmen Romero said NATO will keep up its airstrikes as long as pro-Gadhafi forces attack or threaten civilians.

During the same briefing, a NATO military spokesman said Mr. Gadhafi's forces are increasingly using former civilian facilities such as food processing plants and warehouses to launch attacks.

Colonel Roland Lavoie said the government's use of the facilities "transforms" them into military installations which can be legitimate NATO targets.

On Monday, the Libyan government accused NATO of bombing a hospital near Tripoli and said the air raid killed seven people.

Government officials showed journalists what they said was a destroyed clinic in the town of Zlitan, east of the capital. The officials also took journalists to food warehouses in the town and said these buildings were damaged by airstrikes too.

The NATO strikes continue as a number of nations pursue diplomatic efforts to reach a political solution to the conflict between Mr. Gadhafi's government and the rebels seeking to oust him.

On Sunday, the head of Libya's opposition movement said Mr. Gadhafi and his family may stay in the country as long as they give up power and rebel leaders determine where and under what conditions they remain.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

You May Like

Karzai to Discuss Enhancing Defense Ties with India

Afghanistan looking for more military aid as it prepares for withdrawal of NATO forces by next year More

India, China Pledge to Overcome Border Tensions

Indian prime minister and Chinese premier attempt to move past tense standoff in the Himalayas during Delhi talks More

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thein Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video Valley Fever Raises Concerns in California, Arizona

A longstanding health problem in California's Central Valley has worsened in recent years, leading health officials to order the relocation of 3,000 prisoners from two state prisons. But the disease affects much of the population in some rural communities and, Mike O'Sullivan reports, while it often goes unnoticed, it sometimes can be devastating for patients.