Here are the main talking points of today’s Libya summit in Doha, as reported by Al Jazeera English:
- The group agreed to set up a temporary “trust fund” to help the international community channel assets to the opposition Transitional National Council in Benghazi.
- Those in attendance drafted a statement calling on Libya’s long-term leader Muammar Gaddafi to step down.
- There is disagreement on whether to arm the rebels seeking to eject Gaddafi. Qatar, the United Kingdom and Italy seem supportive of the idea;Â Qatar’s prime minister said “Qatar … will make things available for the Libyan people to defend themselves.” But Germany and Belgium expressed reluctance.
- Prominent defector and former Gaddafi aide Moussa Koussa did not take part in the formal meeting, but was understood to have met with various officials on the sidelines of the conference. Mustafa Gheriani, a media liaison official for the Libyan opposition, said Koussa was “not connected to the Transitional National Council in any way or shape.”
A day before the summit, the Libyan government was dismissive of the international community’s efforts and hit out at Qatar.
A spokesman in Tripoli on Tuesday said, ”we are very hopeful that the American people and the American government will not buy into the Qatari lies and Qatari schemes.Â
“Qatar is hardly a partner of any kind. It’s more of an oil corporation than a true nation.”