Muammar Gaddafi could stay in Libya, William Hague concedes

Source: The Guardian

Britain is prepared to agree to a political settlement in Libya that would see Muammar Gaddafi remain in the country after relinquishing his hold on power, the foreign secretary, William Hague, has said.

As British aircraft step up the bombing against Gaddafi's security and intelligence apparatus before the arrival of Ramadan on 1 August, Hague said the focus should be on ensuring that the Libyan leader leaves power. Speaking at a press conference in London Monday with his French counterpart Alain Juppé, who has been more relaxed about Gaddafi's personal future, Hague said it was up to the Libyan people to decide his future.

"What happens to Gaddafi is ultimately a question for the Libyans," Hague said. "It is for the Libyan people to determine their own future. Whatever happens, Gaddafi must leave power.

"He must never again be able to threaten the lives of Libyan civilians nor to destabilise Libya once he has left power.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/25/gaddafi-libya-william-hague-plan

and be done with it? They could deliver him to the Hague to be charged for crimes against his people.

Gaddafi still enjoys widespread support in the Tripoli and among the bedouin in the western deserts. He's also surrounded by a heavily armed and well trained private guard.

It's not like you can just walk in and arrest the guy. We're not talking about Bin Laden hiding out in a rural farmhouse here.

should it not also be "a question for the Libyans" whether he stays in power or not? Why can't he run in the elections then?
If he stays in Libya, he will be back in power within six month anyway. Maybe even faster, it is hard to underestimate
incompetence of the NATO-imposed puppet regime and its ability to bring misery to Libyan people in short order.

"What happens to Gaddafi is ultimately a question for the Libyans," Hague said. "It is for the Libyan people to determine their own future. Whatever happens, Gaddafi must leave power.

Such a glaring contradiction is a telling example of the kind of doublethink only politicians are capable of.

Col Gaddafi must relinquish power but may not have to leave Libya, Foreign Secretary William Hague has suggested.

He said Britain's preference was for the Libyan leader to leave the country, but it was a "question for Libyans".

Mr Hague was speaking in London alongside French foreign minister Alain Juppe about the ongoing conflict.

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BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said the remarks come amidst signs the leadership of the Libyan opposition is no longer ruling out the idea that Col Gaddafi and his family could remain on Libyan soil.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14282757