Libya: Six of Gaddafi's Henchmen 'Set to Defect'; Libya Defector 'Won't Be Given Immunity from Prosecution'

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Byline: Nicholas Cecil , Joe Murphy

BRITAIN is in secret talks with at least six more of Colonel Gaddafi's henchmen to desert him, The Standard reveals today.

A Government source said: "We are talking about half a dozen people in key positions" After the Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa fled to London, Foreign Secretary William Hague urged more senior officials in Gaddafi's regime to realise the game was up.

He said: "His resignation shows that Gaddafi's regime, which has already seen significant defections to the opposition, is fragmented, under pressure and crumbling from within. Gaddafi must be asking himself: 'Who will be the next to abandon him?'.

"We encourage all those around Gaddafi to abandon him and embrace the better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people."