Rebel Chief: Gadhafi, Family Can Remain in Libya

Says Rebel Troops Will Decide Where He Can Stay

by Jason Ditz, July 24, 2011

In an interview earlier today, East Libyan rebel leader Mustafa Jalil confirmed that his faction’s position is that Moammar Gadhafi and his family would be allowed to stay in Libya, provided they immediately surrender to the rebel faction.

This ability to stay will “have conditions” according to Jalil, who says that the rebels’ military will get to decide where in the country any members of his family get to stay, and how large a guard he will have over him.

Jalil made similar comments earlier this month, saying Gadhafi could stay “under international supervision.” He retracted this comment and denied he ever said it, however, after protests broke out in Benghazi.

A deal allowing Gadhafi to remain in the country is likely a key to the longtime dictator agreeing to leave power, but being under constant military control is unlikely to be particularly palatable for him, let alone his entire family.

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