Libyan Rebels Appeal for Aid in Paris; West Wants Fighting to Fade Soon

By Kenneth R. Bazinet

Rebel Transitional National Council Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil is opening today’s largest-ever gathering of the Libyan Contact Group nations, meeting in Paris to plot a road map for post-Gadhafi Libya.

Co-hosts President Nicholas Sarkozy of France and British Prime Minister David Cameron have invited Western partners, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

European Union, Arab leaders like the Emir of Qatar and the King of Jordan, African leaders, and representatives of Russia and China are also on the guest list.

Jalil plans to discuss the TNC’s need for money to get the country up and running, and he also intends to present outlines for new constitution and elections within a year and a half.

Western nations also expect to hear TNC plans for avoiding further fighting and bloodshed. TNC allies were hoping for a long-shot deal, but there are no indications negotiations are moving forward. 

The timing of the meeting coincides with a deadline Saturday for Gadhafi loyalists to capitulate or face reprisals from rebel forces massing for attack.

Jabril plans to join Sarkozy and Cameron at a press conference at the conclusion of the summit.

Read more by Kenneth R. Bazinet at The Baz File