The Libyan government is ready to negotiate with opposition rebels over political reforms, a former Libyan prime minister said Friday (March 25).
“We are ready to discuss what the Libyan people want,” he said. “What kind of reform do they want? If it is elections we are willing to discuss about the details. We are willing to negotiate with anyone. These are our people. There is no division between the Libyan people; there is a division between extremists and the Libyan people,” Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi was quoted by The Associated Press as saying.
The former prime minister’s announcement comes after African Union chairman Jean Ping called for a dialogue between the Libyan parties on reforms. The union met Friday (March 25) with Libyan delegates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Reuters reports.
The U.S. government has commended the AU for convening the meeting to discuss the situation in Libya.
