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Libya, the Hague issues warrant for Gaddafi and his loyalists
Warrant includes son of Rais, Saif al-Islam and Abdullah Senussi, head of the regime. The decision coincides with the 100 days of the mission in Libya. AsiaNews sources warn about the risk of further internal division of the Libyan people. The civil war could continue even after the departure of Gaddafi. Bishop of Tripoli hopeful for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Tripoli (AsiaNews) - The International Criminal Court has come out against Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam and Abdullah Senussi head of the regime in Tripoli. An arrest warrant is being issued against them for crimes against humanity committed against opponents of the regime. The decision was taken after the study of a 74-page dossier submitted last May 16 by Judge Luis Moreno Ocampo, chief prosecutor of the tribunal, and coincides with the 100 days of the mission in Libya. AsiaNews sources, anonymous for security reasons, point out that such a rushed decision could increase the internal divisions of the Libyan people, already stirred by the NATO bombing of Libya and the split into two opposing factions. The source points out that civil war threatens to continue even after Gaddafi.
Meanwhile, efforts continue to reach an agreement between the parties. Msgr. Giovanni Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, says that "today, NATO did not bomb and there are positive signs for an opening to dialogue, to put an end to raids and the regime’s offensive against the rebels in Benghazi.
"The representatives of the African Union - says the prelate - are pursuing a good job of mediating with the regime, which could make a u-turn, especially if NATO stops bombing, which has still failed to resolve anything, except increase the divide among Libyans. " After the talks took place yesterday in Pretoria (South Africa), union leaders announced that to prevent tensions Gaddafi will not participate directly in any negotiations with the rebels. However, Ibrahim Musa, spokesman for the Rais, announced that the Libyan leader has no intention of leaving power, stressing that the choice is up to the Libyan people and not NATO.
Despite the position taken by Gaddafi, which could change under pressure from rebels and NATO, Msgr. Martinelli points out that there is no other alternative solutions than the diplomatic channel. According to the prelate, "France, Great Britain, USA and Italy, have no more money to carry on this war and as the months pass it will be more difficult to defeat Gaddafi on the military field, if the conditions remain the same". (Sc)