Libya's Rebel Council Rejects Gadhafi's Offer for Negotiations

Libyan rebels remained resolute in their stance against Moammar Gadhafi's regime, despite reports of a possible negotiation offer from the Libyan leader. The provisional national council insisted that Gadhafi must step down before any talks can begin. Violence continued to escalate in both eastern and western Libya, with government warplanes attacking rebel positions in the port city of Ras Lanuf. The standoff between government forces and rebels in Ras Lanuf remained uncertain, with civilians suffering from the ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways:

• The Libyan provisional national council rejected Gadhafi's offer for negotiations, insisting that he must step down before talks can begin.
• Violence raged in both eastern and western Libya, with government warplanes attacking rebel positions in Ras Lanuf.
• Rebels in Ras Lanuf were relatively unorganized and lacked firepower, with some pointing to God as the one in charge.
• Government-controlled western Libya saw an enclave of rebels trapped in the city of Zawiya come under attack, with fears rising that their supplies could soon run short.
• European leaders began a push for a U.N.-approved no-fly zone over Libya, but concerns grew that world leaders would only act after more lives are lost.
• The conflict has resulted in widespread suffering, with civilians, including foreigners, caught in the middle.
• Rebel fighters in Ras Lanuf had massed at a checkpoint near the oil facility, cheering news of possible negotiations.
• Abdel Hafiz Khoga, a spokesman for the rebel's provisional government, stated that there was no promise of immunity from prosecution for Gadhafi.
• Libyan state TV broadcast denials of any negotiations with the rebel force.

Statistics:

• 41 years: the length of time Libya has been ruled by Gadhafi, as stated by a wounded rebel fighter.
• Hundreds of miles: the distance Muhammad Riaz, a Pakistani foreign worker, had to travel with the help of rebels to reach safety.
• Two bullet wounds: the extent of the injuries sustained by a rebel fighter, who pulled up his shirt to reveal his wounds.
• 50 years: the age of Muhammad Riaz, who doubts he'll return to work in the Middle East after the conflict.

Sources:

• NPR News, Peter Kenyon report
• Libyan state TV
• NPR News, host Melissa Block and host Robert Siegel
• UN (no specific date or reference; remains to be confirmed)