France appeared Tuesday to have persuaded Britain to support a shift in attitude toward Muammar Gaddafi, suggesting that he could be allowed to remain in Libya in return for giving up power in a broader deal including a ceasefire. In talks in London late Monday, the British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, met his French counterpart, Alain Juppé, who said last week that “one of the scenarios” to resolve the conflict in Libya “is that he stays in Libya on one condition, which I repeat: that he very clearly steps aside from Libyan political life.” Previously, Britain had insisted that Gaddafi must leave the country as part of a settlement. That could expose him to arrest under a warrant on war crimes charges issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. But, adopting a newer formula used by the State Department in Washington, Hague said Tuesday that “what happens to Gaddafi is ultimately a question for the Libyans.” “What is absolutely clear is that whatever happens, Gaddafi must leave power. He must never again be able to threaten the lives of Libyan civilians nor to destabilize Libya once he has left power.” British officials said there had been no change of policy direction, but the comments were interpreted as tacit backing for the proposal that Gaddafi can remain in Libya after quitting. UN envoy Abdul Elah Al-Khatib, who visited the rebels in Benghazi Monday, is looking for a “political process” that will end a war that has failed to dislodge Gaddafi despite months of rebel attacks backed by NATO bombing raids. France and other Western members of the anti-Gaddafi coalition have signalled that the Libyan leader could stay in the country provided he and his circle agree to step down. A rebel leader this week appeared to endorse this view, which would mark a major shift in policy as previous demands have insisted that Gaddafi must leave the country. Deadlines are approaching for the NATO-led alliance, whose mandate for military action expires on Sept. 27. Hopes have also been expressed that some agreement could be reached before the holy month of Ramadan begins at the start of August. Gaddafi has supported talks with the rebels and with the West. But while he has made clear he backs the idea of his remaining in Libya, he has shown no sign in public of agreeing to the other part of the deal stepping down from power.
