Yesterday, The Washington Post reported that the Qaddafi regime has recently launched a diplomatic offensive aimed at some of America’s NATO allies. Libyan Foreign Minister Abdulati al-Obeidi expressed his country’s desire to end the conflict on Friday saying:
“We are trying to talk to the British, the French and the Americans to stop the killing of people. We are trying to find a mutual solution.”
The President should use Libya’s tentative olive branch as an opportunity to negotiate a cease-fire between the conflict’s two belligerents and to encourage Qaddafi to step down. At worst, the United States can gracefully exit the conflict and leave Libya a peaceful, but divided country. At best, the President can convince Qaddafi to leave by allowing him to save face. He can also then help the Libyan people establish a framework for a united and democratic Libya.
Only time will tell.
Reflections of a Rational Republican 