Tripoli, Mar 20 : Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim has claimed that a ceasefire with the rebels is being respected, and that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is just playing a 'symbolic role' in the country and possesses no real power.
Kaim insisted that a ceasefire with the rebels is "real, credible and solid" despite reports claiming that Gadaffi's forces are putting up a strong fight to encroach into the rebel held city of Benghazi.
On being asked if Gaddafi would consider stepping down, he said that the Libyan leader had not held executive power since 1977.
"Gaddafi has said it by himself. He said that 'I'm just playing a symbolic role here in the country because I was the leader of the revolution," The Telegraph quoted Kaim, as saying.
"The role of the leader is symbolic and the national dialogue will talk about the constitution and the constitution might deal with all these issues," he added.
He even went to the extent of claiming that no one in the country is demanding Gaddafi's removal, but rather they are gathering on the streets to chant his name.
"There is no power for any government organisation to enforce people to go out into the street, chanting. This is not fabricated by the government. The leader is still popular. I know there are maybe some elements in the society don't like him or don't like his role," Kaim said.
On being asked if Gaddafi would consider stepping down, he said that the Libyan leader had not held executive power since 1977.
"Gaddafi has said it by himself. He said that 'I'm just playing a symbolic role here in the country because I was the leader of the revolution," The Telegraph quoted Kaim, as saying.
"The role of the leader is symbolic and the national dialogue will talk about the constitution and the constitution might deal with all these issues," he added.
He even went to the extent of claiming that no one in the country is demanding Gaddafi's removal, but rather they are gathering on the streets to chant his name.
"There is no power for any government organisation to enforce people to go out into the street, chanting. This is not fabricated by the government. The leader is still popular. I know there are maybe some elements in the society don't like him or don't like his role," Kaim said.
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