France: Gadhafi Wants Out

Moammar Gadhafi indeed wants out of Libya—so say his emissaries, so says France. “Emissaries are telling us Gadhafi is ready to go, let’s talk about it,” said French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, according to Reuters. “The question is no longer about whether Gadhafi goes, but when and how.” He declined to name the emissaries, but did say France wasn’t the only country approached.

“Everybody is in contact with everybody. The Libyan regime is sending messengers everywhere, to Turkey, New York, Paris,” Juppe said in a radio interview, though he cautioned that “it’s not a negotiation proper at this stage.” Italy’s foreign minister has also called for a deal. “We are convinced that the Libyan crisis requires a political solution” with “Gadhafi, who lacks all legitimacy, leaving the stage,” he said. (More Moammar Gadhafi stories.)