Now is the time to push forward on Qaddafi exit

When Colonel Muammar Qaddafi made his first formal televised speech after February's riots in Benghazi, he promised to die fighting before he would ever leave Libya. Few would imagine that Col Qaddafi would turn the uprising in the east into an interminable civil war.

When Colonel Muammar Qaddafi made his first formal televised speech after February's riots in Benghazi, he promised to die fighting before he would ever leave Libya. Just six weeks ago, the idea that Col Qaddafi would turn the uprising in the east into an interminable civil war involving a coalition of military powers would have seemed a nightmare.

But it has become all-too-real these past few weeks as rebel and loyalist forces advanced and retreated along the highway from Tripoli to Benghazi, now renamed the "road of death". Against all odds, despite his own irrational behaviour, Col Qaddafi has clung to power. In the international media in the last few days, there had been a growing sense of resignation that he might somehow escape unscathed.

But yesterday diplomatic overtures flooded out of Tripoli, some even indicating that a deal could include Col Qaddafi's voluntary departure from power. It would be wise to remember, however, that just as it would be unwise to count Col Qaddafi out, it would be folly to trust him.

It is a paradox, but probably not a coincidence, that Tripoli's diplomacy corps has taken the lead only a few days since its leader, the former foreign minister Moussa Koussa, defected from Col Qaddafi's side and took refuge in Britain. Despite the military stalemate that prevails with the rebels, there can be no doubt that the defection of a pillar of the regime has shaken its confidence.

How can the loyalists not see the dead end ahead? It seems that Col Qaddafi can usually be trusted to spurn the rational choice, but it is very possible that other key members of his regime may be considering their exit options.

At this point, not too much faith should be placed in the idea floated that a new democracy could emerge with a Qaddafi still on top - not least because Saif al Islam has started to rival his father as an unfit figure to lead a unified Libya - but the opportunity should not be wasted.

Last week, this newspaper argued that greater diplomacy had to be considered in the toolbox that will bring an end to this war in Libya, and to this regime. Those efforts should be redoubled, not to score some political or military victory over the Qaddafis, but to restore peace. A new Libya has a lot of rebuilding to do.