South Africa denies Gaddafi exile plane
The US News Monday 22nd August, 2011
• South Africa has denied reports that it sent a plane to rescue Gaddafi
• The country's foreign affairs minister said such a request had not been made and would not be accepted
• South Africa has been opposed to NATO intervention in Libya, saying fate of Libya rests with the Libyan people
The South African government has denied reports that it has sent a plane to Libya to evacuate Colonel Gaddafi and members of his family or entourage.
Speaking in Johannesburg, South Africa, the regional powerhouse’s International Cooperation Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said that no such move had been made and that President Jacob Zuma had received no such request from embattled Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi.
Mashabane reiterated South Africa’s policy that any changes that take place in Libya should be carried out by the Libyan people with no interference from any foreign powers.
South Africa has been opposed to the NATO bombing of Libya, along with many other African nations and the African Union as a regional body.
However, South Africa has denied siding with Gaddafi and Mashabane said Monday that South Africa would not provide exile to Gaddafi if he asked.
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