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The envoy is reported to have been an aide to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, (pictured) son of Muammar Gaddafi. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews via PA Images
Libya
Gaddafi envoy "had talks with British officials"
Reports say that an aide to Muammar Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam has visited London in recent days to speak to British officials.
REPORTS HAVE EMERGED that a Libyan envoy representing Muammar Gaddafi has visited London to talk to British officials.
The BBC reports that the man was Mohammed Ismail, who is an aide to one of Col Gaddafi’s sons, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.
It appears that Mr Ismail would have been told that Gaddafi had to end his reign in Libya.
In a statement to the BBC, the UK’s Foreign Office said “in any contact that we do have we make it clear that Gaddafi has to go”.
The BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Robbins said he understands that Mr Ismail visited London very recently, although the Foreign Office refused to confirm the visit.
The news comes as speculation grows that Gaddafi’s sons are willing to discuss exit strategies for either their father or their family as a whole. But it is not clear on whose authority Mr Ismail – who has since thought to have returned to Tripoli – visited London.
The news comes as British diplomats and intelligence officials continue to debrief Libya’s foreign minister Moussa Koussa, who has defected. The long-time head of Libya’s external intelligence service, he has been questioned by them about subjects including the Lockerbie bombing in 1988.
Meanwhile, the US reports that coalition air strikes have destroyed about a quarter of the Libyan government’s military capabilities.
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