Major powers met on Thursday to map out what the United States calls an inevitable “post-Gaddafi Libya” as Italy promised hundreds of millions of euros (dollars) in aid to answer rebel pleas for funds. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and counterparts from NATO and other countries participating in air strikes against Moamer Gaddafi’s administration held their third round of Libya talks in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi.
“Gaddafi’s days are numbered. We are working with our international partners through the UN to plan for the inevitable: a post-Gaddafi Libya,” Clinton told participants, according to her prepared remarks distributed by aides. “Time is on our side,” the chief US diplomat said, adding the international military, economic and political pressure was mounting on the Libyan colonel who has been in power for four decades.
“In the days ahead,” she said, “we have to coordinate the many plans taking shape and work closely” with the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) and the Libyan people. “Each of these efforts helps us to protect the Libyan people and lay the groundwork for a unified, democratic, and peaceful future,” she said.
