A close aide of Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi's son, Saif al-Islam, was reportedly in London to explore a possible exit strategy for the Qadhafi regime but no details were available and the British government insisted the bottom line was that he “has to go”.
Reports that Mohammed Ismail, believed to be a member of Mr. Qadhafi's inner circle, met British officials came a day after the dramatic defection of Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa sparking speculation of more desertions.
The Independent newspaper claimed the British government was in “urgent talks” with up to 10 senior figures in the Qadhafi regime.
The Foreign Office declined to confirm or deny Mr. Ismail's visit saying it was not going to provide a “running commentary” on its contacts with Libyan officials.
“In any contact that we do have we make it clear that Qadhafi has to go, that we encourage those around him to abandon the brutal regime and embrace a better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform,” a spokesman told The Hindu .
One version of Mr. Ismail's visit was that he was here on a family outing and when British officials got to know, they used him to send a message for Mr. Qadhafi.
The Guardian said the contact with Mr. Ismail was believed to have been one of a number of such meetings between Libyan officials and the West “in the last fortnight, amid signs that the regime may be looking for an exit strategy”.
Meanwhile, Mr. Koussa was still being questioned by intelligence agencies amid calls for him to be tried for his role in the 1988 Lockerbie air crash which claimed 270 lives. He was reported to be in a “fraught mental state” and concerned about his family in Libya.
