Ceasefire discussions have begun between the Transitional National Council and the Libyan authorities on the terms for a ceasefire.
The Libyan government is calling for an end to NATO strikes, whilst the TNC is calling for the exit of Colonel Gaddafi and his family.
Abdul Ilah al-Khatib, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Libya, told the UN Security Council that both sides had informed him they were ready to cease all hostilities, “if there was a genuine desire by the other party to do the same in a just manner”.
The Mr al-Khatib also confirmed that on 30th April 2011, he received a message from Colonel Gaddafi that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) had bombed his family’s home, killing his son and his grandchildren.
Mr. Al-Khatib told the UN Security Council that he had expressed his condolences to the Libyan leader and underscored the need for an immediate end to the use of force. He also said that United Nations premises in Tripoli had been ransacked later that night, forcing staff to temporarily vacate the area. In a letter sent on 2nd May 2011, the Libyan Government had reportedly expressed regret over the damage and apologized for the incident.
The African Union is strongly urging all parties to the conflict to work towards a ceasefire.