Kadhafi delegation agrees to AU roadmap, coalition continues strikes

As forces carried out a seventh day of air and missile strikes Friday against Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi’s forces, a high-level delegation representing Tripoli agreed to implement an AU roadmap to end the crisis.

Reuters/Goran Tomasevic

Air strikes escalated on forces loyal to Libyan leader Mommer Kadhafi in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, sending residents fleeing. A French fighter jet destroyed an artillery battery overnight outside the town.

The US military said it had information that Kadhafi is arming volunteers to fight the rebellion against his regime.

"I'm not sure... if they are truly volunteers or not and I don't know how many of these recruits he's going to get, but I find it interesting that he may now feel it necessary to seek civilian reinforcements," said Vice Admiral William Gortney.

The official Jana news agency said Kadhafi decided Friday to promote all soldiers, officers and security agents serving currently, as well as Interior ministry employees. The US on Thursday urged Libyan troops to stop fighting.

Meanwhile, in Addis Abeba, Kadhafi’s delegation to African Union talks on the crisis agreed to implement an AU roadmap.

The roadmap calls for an immediate end to all hostilities, cooperation by the Libyan authorities on humanitarian aid, and the protection of all foreigners, including African migrant workers."