From Adrian Blomfield and Ruth Sherlock, the Telegraph: Covert and informal talks have taken place in a number of foreign states, including Italy and Norway, for the past two months, officials in Tripoli said.
The claims, which have been strongly contested by the rebel leadership, come amid growing speculation that Libyan representatives on both sides are increasingly convinced that the stalemate can only be broken through negotiations.
Khaled Kaim, Libya’s deputy foreign minister, said in Tripoli that progress had been made "in some areas" but hopes for a breakthrough had been dashed because of unspecified Nato obstructions.
"The only part we have to blame here is the Nato," he said. "Some member states of Nato don’t support talks between the government and the rebels. That is the reason why there has been come delay in the outcome of the talks."
The National Transitional Council, the rebels’ de-facto government in Benghazi, has consistently denied any negotiations are taking place. . . .
The Libyan government conceded that talks were only being held with individuals in the Council – rather than the whole body – among them Abdel Fattah Younes al-Abidi, the former security minister who defected early on in the uprising.
Some opposition tribal leaders and members of the Muslim Brotherhood are also said to be involved. (photo: Reuters)
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