Mustafa Abdel Jalil clarified what the Libyan rebels' endgame was in their struggle against Muammar Qaddafi this morning.

In a joint press conference with U.N. envoy to Libya Abdelilah al-Khatib in Benghazi, the rebel leader (pictured above) claimed that the opposition would agree to a ceasefire if Qaddafi 1) withdraws his forces from beseiged Western cities like Misrata, 2) removes his "mercenary" troops from the streets, and 3) grants Libyans the freedom to express their views. But he added that the opposition wouldn't be satisfied with a peaceful stalemate, noting that "our main demand is the departure of Muammar Qaddafi and his sons from Libya" and that "our aim is to liberate and have sovereignty over all of Libya with its capital in Tripoli."

Khatib, who has also met with Qaddafi's aides in Tripoli, explained that "each side is saying they will agree to a ceasefire if the other party agrees first. The real challenge is how to achieve a ceasefire that is effective, real and lasting," according to Reuters. The Qaddafi regime has announced a ceasefire, but reports from the east and west give no indication that the government is honoring it.

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Uri Friedman