'Gaddafi Has Accepted Road Map To Peace'

from ChaoticFate.com by qew

http://bit.ly/fePh37 

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has accepted a road map to peace proposed by the African Union, according to South African President Jacob Zuma.

President Zuma's announcement came following a meeting with Col Gaddafi and the representatives of five African countries.

The African leaders arrived in Tripoli earlier today as part of a delegation seeking to negotiate a truce in the Libyan conflict.

The roadmap calls for an end to hostilities, "diligent conveying of humanitarian aid" and "dialogue between the Libyan parties", the leaders said in a statement.

Sky's chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, who is in Tripoli reporting under the restrictions of the Libyan authorities, said it could be the crucial first step towards peace.

Rebel troops near a burnt-out Gaddafi tank

The peace mission comes as Nato warplanes have helped prevent Libyan government forces from advancing past Ajdabiya, the gateway to Benghazi.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the Nato operations were working but warned not to be complacent about Col Gaddafi's capabilities.

"The truth is that the Gaddafi regime is quite well dug in," he told Sky News.

"It's a regime that doesn't care about the wellbeing of its civilian population. It cares nothing for anybody but its own survival."

Image shows a Tornado attacking a Gaddafi tank

Nato has destroyed more than 11 Gaddafi tanks outside Ajdabiya and more strike sorties are expected.

Coalition jets have also struck 14 tanks outside Libya's third city of Misratah today. A spokesman for the rebels said at least 30 people have been killed.

Nato's commander of Libyan operations said the alliance had destroyed "a significant percentage" of his armoured forces in the past 24 hours as well as ammunition stockpiles east of the capital, Tripoli.

Gaddafi's forces have tried to clear rebels from the coastal city of Misratah

"The situation in Ajdabiya, and Misratah in particular, is desperate for those Libyans who are being brutally shelled by the Regime," Canadian Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard said.

"To help protect these civilians we continue to strike these forces hard."

Lt General Bouchard also accused Col Gaddafi's troops of using civilians as human shields to deter Nato forces from attacking them. Similar charges have been made by other Western commanders.

"We have observed horrific examples of regime forces deliberately placing their weapons systems close to civilians, their homes and even their places of worship," Lt Gen Bouchard said in a statement.

"Troops have also been observed hiding behind women and children. This type of behaviour violates the principles of international law and will not be tolerated."