LONDON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- There will be no land invasion by foreign forces in Libya as liberation is something for the people, a rebel leader in London said.
Juma al-Qamati, the political liaison between the rebel-backed Transitional National Council and the British government, told London's pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat that the rebel seizure of Tripoli this week means Moammar Gadhafi and his regime are finished.
NATO and Western leaders said that although Tripoli is in the hands of rebel forces, there is a lot of work to be done in the country. Qamati said the revelation didn't mean international forces could put boots on the ground inside the country, however.
"It is impossible. We will not accept it," he was quoted as saying. "No foreign land intervention will be allowed. The Libyans will liberate Libya themselves."
He stressed that the rebel seizure of Tripoli was an independent operation. He added that the reported capture of Saif Gadhafi, later seen on the streets of Tripoli, was a case of mistaken identity by the rebels.
The U.N. Security Council authorized international military intervention in Libya in March. Gadhafi and members of his inner circle are wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
