Russia agrees to mediate Gaddafi exit

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Al Jazeera

Russia has agreed to mediate the exit of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's leader, after leaders at the Group of Eight (G8) meeting in France called on Russia to take the role.

Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, told reporters on Friday that "Gaddafi has forfeited legitimacy" and that Russia is ready "to help him go".

Soon after, Mikhail Margelov, Moscow's special representative on Africa told reporters that his country is ready to negotiate Gaddafi's departure.

Margelov explained that Russia is in contact with Gaddafi's entourage, and that they are willing to negotiate Libyan leader’s fate.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/05/2011527114252533477.html

[Turborama]

1. Good! The sooner, the better. K&R n/t

[drm604]

2. I have mixed feelings.

If an agreement is made it would probably include some kind of immunity for Gaddafi. That's not good.

On the other hand, ending the fighting and removing the current regime from power are obviously good things.

[LetTimmySmoke]

3. In diplomatic shift, Russia calls for Gadhafi to step down

Source: CNN

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has joined American and other European leaders in calling for Moammar Gadhafi to step down from power, a shift that appears to indicate a closing diplomatic window for the longtime Libyan strongman.

Moscow has been a strong critic of the NATO-led mission in Libya, arguing that the scope of the organization's air campaign against Gadhafi's forces far exceeds the civilian protection mandate approved by the U.N. Security Council.

Medvedev's call for Gadhafi to step aside came at the end of the Group of Eight summit in Deauville, France, on Friday. The G8 includes the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy and Russia.

The G8 leaders also issued a written statement Friday expressing support for the democratic uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/27/libya.war/index.html?hpt=T1

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Once Russia joins the chorus, you know Gadhafi's days are numbered. They don't fuck around.

[DCBob]

4. This is significant.. I predict Moammar is out within a couple of weeks.

I for one will not miss him.

[LetTimmySmoke]

5. Gadhafi is going to have to hire more food tasters.

[Odin2005]

6. I don't think you can taste polonium.

[Alexander]

7. I think this is another sign of a break between Medvedev and Putin.

[rpannier]

8. How many days until Putin rebukes him?

If Putin responds to this like he did to the abstentian vote Medvedev's days as President may be numbered and he might want make sure he has no investments in Russia that Putin can use against him.

[stevedeshazer]

9. Bingo.

He's done.