Tripoli, May 31: South African President Jacob Zuma has reportedly met with embattled ruler Muammar Gaddafi and his associates in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
Zuma arrived in Libya on Monday in an effort to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in the country. Zuma was greeted at the airport by Gaddafi’s Premier al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi.
This is Zuma’s second visit to Libya since the conflict began. A spokesman for Zuma has denied the South African president will be discussing exit strategies with Gaddafi.
He said his main objective is to secure a ceasefire between the warring parties.
Revolutionary fighters in Libya have so far refused to negotiate with the Libyan regime. They want Gaddafi’s resignation as a precondition for any talks.
Meanwhile, the National Transitional Council says eight senior officers of Gaddafi’s military including four generals have defected and joined the revolutionary forces.
Libya has been the scene of fierce fighting between Pro-Gaddafi troops and anti-regime forces since mid-February.
Revolutionary forces want an end to Gaddafi’s decades-long rule.
——–Agencies