Russia’s envoy to Africa urges Gaddafi to follow example of ousted Arab leaders

Russia’s special envoy to Africa, Mikhail Margelov said that Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi should follow examples of other ousted Arab leaders who “lived in peace and quiet as individuals” after their voluntary resignation.

“I am ready to remind to Gaddafi the examples from the newest Arab history, when the ousted states’ leaders, including former Algerian leader, Ahmed Ben Bella and the ex-leader of Sudan, Gaafar Nimeiry lived peacefully in their countries after being deposed during the military coups,” Margelov said in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel.

Last week Margelov, who is also chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian parliament’s upper house, was on his visit to Libyan opposition stronghold city of Benghazi where he had held talks with the leaders of the Transitional National Council (TNC). He said that he would soon visit the capital of Tripoli to meet with Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, Foreign Affairs Minister Abdelati al-Obeidi and “other members of the Cabinet.”

He may also meet with Col. Muammar Gaddafi, “if the president instructs him to.”

In mid-May the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant on crimes against humanity charges for Gaddafi, his son Saif al Islam and his intelligence chief, Abdullah al Senussi.

Margelov said that the main Gaddafi’s international guarantee is his common sense since it is two weeks left before a formal ICC’s indictment and “it is enough time to manage to do something.”

VLADIVOSTOK, June 11 (RIA Novosti)

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