Mbeki says conflict in Libya could have been stopped sooner

By Lelethu Mquqo
21 August 2011

Former president Thabo Mbeki says the conflict in Libya could have been stopped much sooner if the Western world had listened to African leaders.

Mbeki told an Africa Arise summit in Bloemfontein the African Union had a peace plan, which the Libyan government had accepted.

But the continent's leaders were overruled by major powers, who decided on a no-fly zone over the country.

Libyans will eventually sit down and decide their own future, Mbeki added, but by then scores would have died.