Ex-President Rawlings said the Libyan leader should use the ceasefire as an opportunity to initiate dialogue with those who have divergent opinions to his government.
Libyan Foreign Minister, Mussa Kussa announced his government’s ceasefire following a resolution by the United Nations backing all necessary measures short of occupation to protect civilians in the country.
Former President Rawlings had earlier on Friday met with the Libyan Ambassador to Ghana, Dr. Ali Ghadban, during which he called on Colonel Gaddafi to stand down his forces and create an opportunity for discussion on the future political direction of Libya.
“The world is observing what is going on in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen…and Libya was the last place I thought will be engulfed in such hostilities. Let us not do anything that will undermine the peaceful protests in the Middle East, in their quest for a freer society and the fight against corruption.
“Colonel Gaddafi has been an advocate of people’s power and he needs to stand down his troops and not allow the situation to escalate,” President Rawlings said.
Ex-President Rawlings said Colonel Gaddafi’s stance as an advocate of people’s power may have been too theoretical to some and what is happening in Libya is a wake up call to recognise that there is a problem that needs to be looked into. “If an aspect of the constitution needs to be examined, let us take a look it. Let us allow a peaceful transformation,” he said.
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