Libya says ready for reforms, Gaddafi won't step down
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Xinhua, April 6, 2011
The Libyan government said Tuesday it was ready to negotiate reforms, but refused any talk of Muammar Gaddafi stepping down, according to Al-Arabiya TV.
"What kind of political system is implemented in the country? This is negotiable, we can talk about it," said Information Minister Moussa Ibrahim.
"We can have anything, elections, referendums," he said, adding that "Gaddafi's future was non-negotiable," he stressed.
"We think he (Gaddafi) is very important to lead any transition to a democratic and transparent model," Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim also brushed aside allegations that Gaddafi's forces were committing atrocities on civilians.
"We are fighting armed militia and you are not civilian if you take up arms against the state," he said.
Fierce fighting continued in Libya and opposition fighters launched a new attempt to recapture the oil refinery town of Brega.
A coalition strike destroyed at least two military vehicles of Gaddafi in Brega, helping rebels surge toward the town.
The town has a great significant as it along with the eastern town of Ras Lanuf make up the lion's share of Libya's 1.5 million barrels of daily exports, which have been radically affected by the uprising that began on Feb. 15.
