'No other way: Gaddafi must go'
2005-06-27 08:50
London - Divisions over tactics and vision split Libyan opposition groups in exile, but participants at a two-day conference agreed to unite under a "national accord" aimed at ousting Muammar Gaddafi from power.
In a final declaration on Sunday, the groups addressed the United Nations (UN), saying the global body was responsible for restoring Libya's constitution. The charter was drafted in 1951 as part of a UN resolution — but Gaddafi froze it after assuming power in a military coup and replaced it with martial law.
"Bringing back constitutional legitimacy to Libya is a major factor towards building a stable political life," the declaration read.
Demonstrators apparently recruited by the Libyan embassy in London entered the hotel where opposition members were meeting to try to disrupt the proceedings.
About 200 people also rallied on Sunday outside the embassy, waving Libyan flags and holding placards bearing Gaddafi's photo. They shouted "Look for peace together" and "Work for democracy together" in Arabic.
Students forced to join demonstration
"We believe in democracy for all people," said demonstrator Mostafa Ywali.
About 600 Libyan students were expected to hold a pro-Gaddafi demonstration in front of the Libyan embassy on Monday to voice support for the regime. Conference participants said the students were being threatened with having their scholarships cut if they did not join the demonstration.
While agreeing on the necessity of a regime change in Libya, Gaddafi's opponents in exile could not agree on the best strategy to make that happen. But participants in the two-day conference proposed setting up a new satellite television network to use to encourage Libya's silent majority to stage a series of protests that might lead to a popular uprising.
The 200 participants also vowed to take Gaddafi, his family and all his aides to the international court to try them for war crimes.
Boycotting the conference
Libya's Muslim Brotherhood group also stayed away from the conference, claiming the only way to bring about change was to reform the regime from within.
"There are people inside the government and the regime who are advocating negotiation with the opposition. We want to encourage those people to be more dominant," Shames said.
He was referring to Seif el-Islam Gaddafi, Gaddafi's son, believed to be the likely successor to the Libyan leader.
Muslim Brotherhood member Nasser al-Man'ie called opposition demands "slogans that might be exploited by some parties to put pressure on Libya".
For some opposition members meeting here, it was too late for this regime to reform.
"There is no other option: Gaddafi must go and the constitution must come back," said Salem Mohammed, a senior member of the National Movement.
- AP