UK ‘welcome’ to investigate WPC Fletcher murder

Asked whether he would welcome Scotland Yard detectives to Libya to investigate the murder, the National Transitional Council’s reconstruction minister, Farage Sayeh, said:

“Definitely. We’re here to support justice around the world. We started this whole revolution to make justice a reality in Libya.”

Downing Street officials had said earlier they were “in discussions” with the NTC and hoped an agreement could be reached.

It comes after comments by NTC member Hassan al-Sagheer at the weekend which suggested the new Libyan government would block efforts to extradite any Libyan nationals to face charges over WPC Fletcher’s murder or the Lockerbie bombing.

WPC Fletcher was shot dead in 1984 while policing a demonstration outside the Libyan embassy in London.

Junior diplomat Abdulmagid Salah Ameri has been named as the prime suspect in her murder.

The shots that killed her were fired from inside the Libyan embassy, but Libyan staff claimed diplomatic immunity and no one was ever charged with her murder.

‘Court must decide Gaddafi’s fate’

Mr Sayeh told Channel 4 News Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson that the NTC wanted Gaddafi to be captured alive so he could be tried for possible war crimes.

We started this whole revolution to make justice a reality in Libya. Farage Sayeh, NTC Reconstruction Minister

“Gaddafi has to be captured and brought to justice. And the court will decide his destiny.

“It’s not for me but the court to decide whether he is extradited or not,” he said in reference to a possible war crimes trial at the Hague.

Mr Sayeh also told Channel 4 News that rebel leadership was pleading with its young soldiers not to summarily execute suspected Gaddafi soldiers, but let them be tried in court instead.

“Its only naivety – these are young kids. We are asking them please, please, please bring these guys to justice and give them a fair trial.”

International efforts

Earlier today Prime Minister David Cameron chaired a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss humanitarian assistance on the ground and the unfreezing of Libyan assets.

“The aim is to agree what else the international community can do in order to help the Libyans reach their goal of a secure and peaceful country that is Libyan-led,” Downing Street said.

NTC leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil has set a deadline for forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi to surrender by Saturday.

He said that rebel forces plan to take over the remaining Gaddafi strongholds in the coming days, including the colonel’s home town of Sirte.