Zuma Visit Raises Hopes for Libya Deal

Source: The New York Times

TRIPOLI, Libya — President Jacob Zuma of South Africa arrived at a compound belonging to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi on Monday afternoon for meetings that could prove crucial to the fate of Colonel Qaddafi and his embattled government.

Traveling in his capacity as a representative of the African Union, a somber Mr. Zuma debarked at Mitiga Airport outside Tripoli, the capital, at 1 p.m. local time. His expected meeting with Colonel Qaddafi would be a break in the Libyan leader’s elusive behavior since the NATO bombing strikes began two months ago, as well as a renewed effort by the union to negotiate a peace deal, perhaps even offering a possible lifeline for Colonel Qaddafi in the face of a mounting international chorus demanding his ouster.

On Friday, the Russian president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, reversed his country’s diplomatic position, saying he would use Russia’s relationships in Libya to seek to persuade Colonel Qaddafi to leave power. Russia had previously spoken against the NATO bombing and charged that the Western campaign had exceeded its mandate. Libya’s deputy foreign minister, Khalid Kaim, said Friday that any diplomatic initiatives, even from Russia, would now have to come through the African Union.

However, it was unclear whether Mr. Zuma intended to discuss the possibility of Colonel Qaddafi’s taking refuge in an African nation.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/world/africa/31libya.html

...be standing shoulder to shoulder, demonstrating solidarity in the teeth of capitalist-imperialist, Western aggression?

What happened to third-world solidarity?

Oh, we live in a late and debased age,

Where are the freedom-fighters of yesteryear?

I'm not a fan of magical thinking, but coincidence is always so unlikely.