Gathafi blames Israel for Darfur unrest

Libyan leader charges key Darfur rebel leaders have opened offices in Tel Aviv, meet frequently with Israeli army.

TRIPOLI - Libyan leader Moamer Gathafi demanded Tuesday that any international legal proceedings against Omar al-Beshir be halted immediately, charging that it was Israel and not the Sudanese president who was to blame for the Darfur conflict.

"It'll be no surprise to anyone when we say that we have found inequivocable proof that the Darfur problem was fomented by foreign forces," Gathafi said in a speech carried by the independent Al-Libya television channel.

"Key rebel leaders have opened offices in Tel Aviv and meet frequently with the (Israeli) army," he charged.

"If Tel Aviv among others is behind the events in Darfur, why then call Beshir or the Sudanese government to account," said Gathafi, who was speaking at an African conference organised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. More

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