Libya political solution taking shape: France

Emissaries from Libya's Muammar Qadhafi have been in contact with Nato members to say he is ready to leave power, France's government said on Tuesday, the latest sign of a possible negotiated end to the crisis. "A political solution is more than ever indispensable and is beginning to take shape," French Prime Minister Francois Fillon told a parliamentary commission which is expected to vote later on whether to extend France's military operations in Libya.
Nato powers have until now been focused firmly on airstrikes and backing the rebels trying to overthrow Qadhafi, but five months into the insurrection and with no sign of a breakthrough, attention is switching to a political solution. Earlier, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe had said emissaries from Qadhafi's government were in contact with several Nato members, though he said there were no fully-fledged negotiations yet.
"Emissaries are telling us Qadhafi is ready to go, let's talk about it," Juppe said, adding the emissaries said they were coming in the name of Qadhafi. "The question is no longer about whether Qadhafi goes but when and how," Juppe said. "Everybody is in contact with everybody. The Libyan regime is sending messengers everywhere, to Turkey, New York, Paris," Juppe said on France Info state radio. "There are contacts but it's not a negotiation proper at this stage."
How reliable the information from the emissaries is remains unclear. Many observers warn of the need to be cautious about taking everything emanating from the Libyan government at face value because previous peace offers have come to nothing. Sources say the envoys are close aides to Qadhafi who are in contact with intermediaries who report directly to Sarkozy. It was not obvious how Qadhafi, who has refused to even contemplate relinquishing power, could be persuaded to change his mind through negotiations. Some analysts say Qadhafi will only step down if he is left with no other options, but appeals for negotiations could be seen in Tripoli as a sign the West's resolve is weakening, and encourage Qadhafi to hold on longer.