A senior aide to Seif al-Islam has visited London in recent days to hold secret talks with British officials, government sources tell the Guardian. The Foreign Office says it won’t “provide a running commentary” on the talks, but one Western diplomat says it’s looking increasingly like Seif and Moammar Gadhafi’s other sons, Saadi and Mutassim, are eager to negotiate. “There’s been increasing evidence lately that the sons want out,” he said.
The sons have reportedly suggested removing their father's real power, and having Mutassim take over as interim president of a national unity government that would include an opposition party. That idea isn’t likely to hold water with rebels or the international community, however. (More Saif al-Islam Gadhafi stories.)