Gaddafi reportedly “gravely ill” and ready to leave Libya

As Libyan rebels continue
advancing on the capital Tripoli,
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi,
who has been struggling to stay
in power since March, is reported
to be "gravely ill."
The news comes from unnamed
sources quoted by the Asharq al-
Awasat newspaper. No further
details on the colonel’s medical
condition is said to be available,
though the rebel Transitional
National Council does refer to
medical reports allegedly
confirming that Gaddafi has had
a serious illness.
The strongman’s worsening
health reportedly prompted him
to send the head of his office to
Mali and Tunisia to meet with
French and British
representatives in a bid to secure
his family's and his own safety.
According to reports, Gaddafi
was likely to step down and
delegate his powers to
Muhammad Alqamoda, the
Libyan regime’s justice minister.
"Colonel Gaddafi's conditions are
an immediate cease-fire and the
withdrawal of NATO forces," the
Itar-Tass news agency quoted an
unnamed source in Libya’s
military as saying. "Two Airbus
aircraft from South Africa landed
at Tripoli International Airport.
One of them included a
delegation, while the second was
empty of passengers."
The same source reportedly
added that the planes may be
ready to transfer Gaddafi, his
family members and some
members of his government to
Venezuela. It is also reported that
an envoy of Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez arrived on
the Tunisian island of Djerba,
where he allegedly met Gaddafi’s
representatives.
Meanwhile, the rebels claim to be
advancing on the Libyan capital
Tripoli. Despite the NATO-led
mission to protect civilians and
enforce a no-fly zone over the
country, the civil war between
rebels and forces loyal to Gaddafi
continues to rage for more than
six months after the outbreak of
violence.