Former Libyan foreign minister Musa Kusa has warned that Libya could become a "new Somalia" if civil war breaks out.
"I call on all parties to prevent a civil war in Libya," Kusa, a top official who left the North African country and now lives in London, told Britain's BBC.
"It could cause such bloodshed that Libya becomes the new Somalia."
Kusa resolutely opposed the idea of dividing Libya and assessed that the unity of the country is necessary for any solution to the crisis in it.
"The solution for Libya will come from the Libyans themselves, through democratic dialogue," said the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, who unexpectedly arrived in London on March 30 and resigned from his post in the Libyan government.
"My country is going through difficult times," said the former close associate of Gaddafi. "When security and stability disappeared, I decided to resign. I no longer have contacts with the Libyan regime."
Libyan rebels rejected the African Union's ceasefire initiative, which Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi accepted, and said Gaddafi and his sons must step down.
Today, the defense ministers of Italy, Great Britain and France are to discuss strengthening military pressure on Gaddafi.
NATO intensified attacks on Gaddafi's forces last weekend as rebels accused the Western coalition of being slow.
Britain and France are participating in the operation to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, while Italian planes are participating in a mission to identify anti-aircraft radars, but do not shoot or drop bombs.
Conflicts in Libya have been ongoing since February 15, when opposition forces rebelled against Gaddafi's regime.
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