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Gaddafi regime in its final hours – Former Libyan Arab League representative | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat – Abdul Monem al-Houni, Libya’s former representative to the Arab League, who resigned in protest to Colonel Gaddafi’s brutal and violent crackdown against the protestors in Libya, has told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Libyan regime is in its final hours. Al Houni revealed that the Gaddafi regime is currently only in control of the Bab al-Azizah military compound in Tripoli, and 3 other military camps, including one commanded by Khamis Gaddafi, with the rest of the country being under the control of the protestors.

In a telephone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the former Libyan ambassador to the Arab League revealed more information about the situation in the country, including information about Gaddafi asking for help from his own tribe – the Gaddafi tribe – located in Sirte. There have been reports of a convoy of 30 armored Land Cruisers loaded with heavy machine guns setting out from Sirte; however anti-government protesters in Misurata objected to this and prevented this convoy from reaching Tripoli.

Al-Houni also told Asharq Al-Awsat said that the Libyan youths have vowed to overthrow the Gaddafi regime or die in the attempt, and that it is only a matter of time until the Gaddafi regime is toppled, adding that Gaddafi is facing his final hours. He also revealed that Gaddafi had attempted to negotiate with the West, promising to combat Al Qaeda in return for the West supporting him and allowing him to remain in power, however he added that the West have rejected this, considering this a “broken record.”

For his part, Ahmed Gaddaf al-Dam, Gaddafi’s own cousin, who was also one of the top security figures in Libya and who defected from the Libyan regime, has stressed that the most important thing is to put an end to the bloodshed and achieve national stability. He added that Libya must avoid any foreign intervention and preserve national unity.

Gaddaf al-Dam, who is currently visiting Syria, also told Asharq Al-Awsat that he had defected in protest to the manner in which the events in Libya were being dealt with. He called on all parties to stop the bloodshed for the sake of Libyan unity and stability. Gaddaf al-Dam, who was in charge of Libyan – Egyptian diplomatic relations, stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Libya is above all other considerations, and he revealed that he has instructed his staff at his office in Egypt to organize a medical convoy to be sent to Libya to aid the Libyan people.