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Analyst: Gadhafiās Diplomatic Efforts Failing

   Peter Clottey  March 09, 2011
   Rebels  run  for  cover during clashes with pro-Gaddafi forces between
   Ras Lanuf and Ben Jawad, March 9, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   Rebels  run  for  cover during clashes with pro-Gaddafi forces between
   Ras Lanuf and Ben Jawad, March 9, 2011

   A  Benghazi-based  Libyan  political  activist  says  embattled leader
   Moammar  Gadhafiās  diplomatic  efforts  will amount to nothing saying
   Gadhafi  has  lost  legitimacy  to  rule  the  country  after  what he
   described as his four-decade long repressive dictatorship.

   Ali  Tarhouni  says  the anti-government movement will continue to put
   pressure  on  the  Gadhafi  regime  despite  recent  setbacks and as a
   72-hour ultimatum elapses Thursday.

   āThe  legitimacy  of  the  Gadhafi  regime  is  gone for all practical
   purposes,  from  the  Arab League to the European Union and the United
   Nations. Basically, he doesnāt have the legitimacy as a statesman such
   that his [diplomatic] offense, trying to cultivate something that will
   shore up his failing regime, is quite a failure,ā said Tarhouni.

   āMost  of  these  European  countries  already took a stand that he is
   committing  crimes  and  that he is massacring his people. So, Iām not
   really  sure  that  there  are many ears that are willing to listen to
   whatever Gadhafi wants to say,ā he added.

   This  came  amid  reports  that Gadhafi sent emissaries to meet senior
   officials  in  Europe,  a  move  seen by some analysts as a diplomatic
   offense  against  anti-government  protesters who demand the embattled
   leader step down and cede power.

   Tarhouni says Gadhafi seems to be fighting a losing battle.

   āWhat  is  next  after  the  ultimatum is that the revolution is still
   continuing.  Iām  pretty sure that, given everything that we will see,
   [weāll  see]  more  victories on the ground for the revolutionists and
   the  young  people. And so, Iām not sure that he has a lot of options.
   Think  about where he is at now; his last stand is basically Tripoli,ā
   said Tarhouni.

   āHe  is  negotiating for a safe haven for him and his kids even though
   he  claims  that  heās  not; I know for a fact that he is. So, this is
   basically from the camp of the Revolutionary Council, we are concerned
   with  [violence]  if he doesnāt leave and that is why the Council gave
   him  that  [ultimatum]. Iām not really sure that he is wise enough, he
   has  never  been.  So,  if he doesnāt leave, he will be living on less
   favorable terms,ā he added.

   Libyan  rebels  say government forces attacked a major oil facility in
   the  rebel-held eastern town of Ras Lanuf Wednesday, the front line of
   opposition forces.
   The  rebels  say  Libyan  warplanes bombed an oil storage depot in the
   Sidr  facility, while government artillery struck a pipeline supplying
   the  complex Wednesday causing a fire and sending huge plumes of smoke
   into  the sky. Gadhafi forces also shelled rebel positions west of Ras
   Lanuf forcing some rebels to retreat, while others fought back.

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