Jordan, currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council, along with Egypt, sponsored a draft resolution to this end, but the idea was struck down by the major powers, including the United States, arguing that the UN-sponsored mediation led by Bernardino Leon is approaching a turning point, and the two sides in Libya should therefore refrain from activities that might jeopardize the talks currently underway in Skhirat, Morocco. According to Leon, both sides have agreed to a draft agreement he described as “something that the parties can agree [on].”
In lashing out in Russia, Libya’s prime minister accused Western states of being “contradictory” in their approach to the Libyan conflict, engaging in a double standard. While they accept him and his government as Libya's legitimate representatives, they deny his administration the kind of help it needs to exercise full sovereignty and counter the increasing spread of terror organizations in Libya.
In an unexpected turn, it appears that US President Barack Obama is now concerned about the role some Gulf states are playing in Libya, echoing Thinni's assessment. On April 17 Obama told the media: “In some cases, you've seen them fan the flames of military conflict, rather than try to reduce them.”
Thinni's RT appearance was the first time he had spoken out by singling out certain countries that played a central role in bringing down the Gadhafi regime, ultimately handing the country over to their own enemies, namely, extremist Islamists. NATO's eight-month air campaign destroyed much of the Libyan army, and its rebuilding is what took Thinni to Russia in search of arms and training. Moscow has so many problems on its doorstep, however, it cannot offer much assistance unless the embargo is lifted.
