Zuma says Libya must plot own future

By Khanyisa Tabata
27 June 2011

President Jacob Zuma says the solution in Libya has to be political
and lies in the hands of the Libyan people.

Hosting a summit of the African Union panel on Libya in Pretoria, Zuma warned Nato that the UN resolution for a no-fly zone over Libya had not intended to authorise a campaign for regime change or what he described as “the political assassination" of Muammar Gaddafi.

Zuma says the military stalemate cannot be allowed to drag on - both because of its horrendous cost in civilian lives and the potential it has to destabilise the entire sub-region.

Meanwhile, the Libyan government yesterday renewed its offer to hold a vote on whether Gaddafi should stay in power. Observers say the proposal could widen differences inside Nato.

The three month military campaign has cost alliance members billions-of-dollars, has killed civilians, and has so far failed to topple Gaddafi.

Government spokesperson Moussa Ibrahim told reporters in Tripoli they are proposing a period of national dialogue and an election overseen by the United Nations and the African Union.