Gaddafi Talking With the French About Stepping Down
The U.S. has cajoled, requested, asked nicely, and bombed his country to make their point, but Moammar Gaddafi has stood firm, stating that he will fight to the death to keep his position. That was yesterday. Today, he's talking about leaving Libya - to the French.
If the French manage to get Gaddafi to leave Libya, while it would make many people happy, it wouldn't be the best situation for the Obama Administration. Peace is good, but it's better if one is instrumental in causing it.
Why is Gaddafi talking with the French, instead of the rebels? Well, apparently it's not about saving face, or at least not entirely so. French President Sarkozy supposedly told Gaddafi through channels that France will tell the rebels to stop fighting if peace negotiations are successful. Of course, this was reported by Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam. Officially, the French are denying it, but are definitely encouraging talks between the rebels and Gaddafi's regime.
So either the French are going to negotiate peace in Libya, or they're not - or they're going to say that they didn't, when they did. Either way, getting Gaddafi to agree to leave is only half the equation. Whoever manages to negotiate an end to the regime will probably also have to find a home for him. It's not like any country is going to leap up and volunteer either. At the very least, property values in whatever neighborhood Gaddafi would end up calling "home" would probably plummet. "Right down the block from former Libyan leader, Moammar Gaddafi" isn't exactly what potential home buyers would be be looking for in a new house. Time will tell. For now, here's hoping that the U.S. doesn't end up with the honors of taking him in. Our real estate markets have taken enough hits this year!
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