Turkey’s prime minister says Muammar Qadhafi must “immediately step down,” a major escalation of Turkish pressure on the Libyan leader with whom Turkey once maintained cordial relations.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Col. Qadhafi has ignored calls for change from the Libyan people and instead preferred “blood, tears and pressure” against his own people.
Mr. Erdogan told a news conference in Istanbul on Tuesday that Col. Qadhafi must take a historic step and withdraw, for the future of Libya, its peace and prosperity.
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Mr. Erdogan had proposed a roadmap for peace in Libya on April 7, urging forces aligned with Col. Qadhafi to withdraw from besieged cities, the establishment of humanitarian aid corridors and comprehensive democratic change.