"I call for negotiations"

Ali Al-Ahwal Tripoli - Nabil Zaghdoud The General Coordinator of Libyan Tribes for Gaddafi's government, Ali Al-Ahwal, said that until January his country was "an example of stability, and security that opened its doors to more than five million foreigners”, adding: “but the enemies have hatched plans to exploit its wealth and divide it." He said in a press statement to ArabsToday in Tripoli: "We are surprised by this unjustified military campaign, which is a vicious attack. Every legal and human rights organization in civil society has fallen." Al-Ahwal accused members of the Transitional Council and the rebels of implementing a Western agenda, and beginning this process by taking over police stations, looting weapons, and colonizing the eastern region, where he claims there is corruption, murder, and terrorism. Al-Ahwal said; “It is essential for the Libyan people to win a victory in the same way that they were victorious over Italy before." This statement is consistent with the Libyan regime's propaganda. Al-Ahwal claimed that more than 2000 Libyan tribes have announced their support for Gaddafi, and that they reject "NATO attacks, and the division in Libya, like what happened in Sudan and is aimed at in Iraq now. It is one example of colonization in Arab countries where the depletion and division of resources is being worked towards." Al-Ahwal accused the media of not conveying the truth, stating: "They misinterpret the news, publish incomplete news, or sideline incidents in the media.” He asked, "Why do foreign journalists in Benghazi convey the opposition's vision, while foreign correspondents here in Tripoli do not give the government's vision?” Adding: "There are correspondents who convey news from Tripoli to serve the opposition in Benghazi." With regard to the reconciliation efforts that the General Coordination of Libyan Tribes is undertaking, Al-Ahwal acknowledged the absence of a platform for negotiation between the members of the Transitional Council, the Gaddafi regime, and the foreign forces. He called for the NATO strikes to be stopped in order to sit at the negotiating table, and to research the possibilities of reform and the accountability of the corrupt officials who have committed crimes against the Libyan people in recent years. He said: "Our brothers in the East (where the rebel’s stronghold is) refuse to sit at the negotiating table, because they do not hold the reigns of power", which he believes to indicate "the execution of their Western agenda." Al-Ahwal stressed that the Libyan tribes, which exceed 2500, agreed on several key points to maintain the unity of Libyan soil, stating: "the division is a red line where debate is not allowed, and the blood of the Libyan people must be preserved, and every drop of blood spilled by any party is dear and precious to everyone” adding that: “natural resources must be maintained" Al-Ahwal blamed the National Council and NATO for committing "crimes against humanity such as murder, torture, and atrocities, especially against detainees, migrant workers, and those who were believed to be mercenaries." He said that such acts committed during the period of conflict are classified as war crimes. He also held them responsible for the disappearance of more than 105 children from the care home in Misurata." However, opponents accuse Gaddafi's regime of using the missing children from the care home as human shields in Bab Al-Azizia. The rebels accuse Gaddafi's regime of practicing murder and torture against those who are considered as opposed to his rule, such as supporters of the rebels. Their accusations went as far as saying that his soldiers practice rape and atrocities against dissidents and their families.