| Tripoli, March 29 (RHC) -- In a letter to international powers gathered in London to discuss the fate of Libya, leader Muammar Gaddafi called for ending what he described as “the unfair and barbaric offensive” against the Libyans. In a letter carried out by official news agency Jana he said: “Leave Libya for Libyans. You are committing genocide against a peaceful people and destroying a developing nation.” Gaddafi, who has ruled the North African country for 42 years, said the situation in Libya will be handled by the African Union (AU), stressing that Libya would accept “what a high-profile AU commission would decide.” The world’s major powers, the UK, the United States and France, started on March 19 to launch strikes from the air and sea against Gaddafi’s forces after the UN Security Council passed a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. The resolution also called for authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in Libya, an appointed reference to military operations. Top diplomats from at least 40 countries, including Muslim NATO member Turkey, met later Tuesday in London for talks on the future of Libya. Sources: RHC. |