African Union leaders arrive in Benghazi to begin talks with Qaddafi's regime and rebels; AU says Qaddafi has already agreed to end fighting, allow humanitarian assistance, protect foreigners in Libya and discuss reform; more big aftershocks in Japan; China faces first quarterly trade deficit in seven years; Persian Gulf nations want Yemen's president gone; Obama to push for bipartisan debt talks; and more
Top of the Agenda: Talks of Ceasefire in Libya
Leaders from the African Union arrived in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi to begin negotiating a ceasefire (al-Jazeera) between opposition forces and the regime of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi. Rebels claim they would only suspend hostilities if regime forces withdrew and Qaddafi (BBC) and his sons relinquished power. The AU said Qaddafi has agreed to four basic elements (CNN): ending fighting, facilitating humanitarian assistance, protecting foreign nationals, and discussing political transition and reform. The deal does not address whether Qaddafi will renounce his authority. The AU said it was speaking to all parties involved in the Libyan conflict (Guardian), suggesting consultations with the United States, NATO, and European countries.
The ceasefire gestures came as combat raged around the strategic rebel city of Ajdabiya (NYT). Aided by NATO airstrikes, opposition forces repelled a loyalist assault and recaptured gateways into the city. Qaddafi's troops continue to bombard the city of Misurata (Haaretz), the lone rebel bastion in Libya's west.
Analysis:
In the Christian Science Monitor, CFR's Meghan L. O'Sullivan writes that President Obama should contemplate creating a safe haven for Libyan rebels.
Obama is right to balance U.S. national interests with democracy promotion in dealing with the Middle East, intervening in select cases and standing behind democracy advocates in others, says expert Larry Diamond.
Any outcome of the Libyan war will require boots on the ground, say analysts, urging the international community to focus on helping the country rebuild civil, political, and social institutions that serve Libyan national interests.
Multimedia:
This slide show from the New York Times provides extensive visual documentation of the battle for Ajdabiya.
PACIFIC RIM: Large Aftershocks Continue to Hit Japan
Another aftershock (ABC)--measured at 6.6 by the U.S. Geological Survey--hit northeastern Japan on Monday. Engineers at the Fukushima nuclear plant were forced to suspend cooling efforts temporarily, but officials say it is unlikely to affect safety.
China: The world's second largest economy registered its first quarterly trade deficit (WSJ) in seven years, which economists say reflects the rising prices of imported commodities. China is still expected to post a considerable trade surplus for the year.
ELSEWHERE:
- Gulf States Call for Saleh Removal
- Obama to Push Long-Term Debt Talks
This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org