LONDON — Britain and the United States are prepared to consider a swift exit of Libya’s Colonel Moamar Khadafy into exile, The (London) Times reported late Monday.
Coalition nations gather in London on Tuesday to plot a future for Libya without the embattled leader. The official position of Britain and the US is for the dictator to stand trial at the International Criminal Court, but both are ready to accept that a deal under which he leaves the country quickly may be in Libya’s best interests.
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Such a move has some European support, including from Italy, and could be facilitated by the African Union, according to The Times.
British Prime Minister David Cameron prepared for Tuesday’s summit by issuing a joint warning with President Nicolas Sarkozy of France that NATO would continue air strikes even if Khadafy called a cease-fire.
However, the Cameron-Sarkozy statement was vague about the Libyan leader’s personal future, leaving the door open for an exit to a destination other than The Hague.
One British official said the PM’s view remained that the dictator should be “held to account,” but added, “In the end this has to be a process for the Libyan people.”
A UN official said that Libya’s future “has to be one without Khadafy’s personal presence.” Asked about him going into exile, he replied, “I cannot say that it has been ruled out.”
Cameron also held a video conference Monday about developments in the Middle East with US President Barack Obama, Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor.
In a national address later Monday, Obama said the goal of removing Khadafy from power will be actively pursued through non-military means.
“With the time and space that we have provided for the Libyan people, they will be able to determine their own destiny, and that is how it should be,” he said. “Of course, there is no question that Libya — and the world — will be better off with Khadafy out of power.
“I, along with many other world leaders, have embraced that goal, and will actively pursue it through non-military means. But broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake.”
The political positioning comes as rebel forces in Libya on Monday reached positions 60 miles (100km) from Sirte, Khadafy’s home town, entering for the first time areas with significant pro-Khadafy pockets of support.
The rebel army — backed by renewed coalition air strikes, including operations by British RAF Tornados — pushed on from Ras Lanuf, the limit of their previous advance at the start of the month. Thanks to Western air strikes, they have advanced almost 350 miles (560km) in ten days.