Report: Qaddafi envoy in London for secret talks

Muammar Qaddafi may be looking for a way out.

British newspaper the Guardian reports that Qaddafi sent a trusted envoy to London for secret talks with British officials.

A senior aide to Qaddifi's son Saif al-Islam, Mohammed Ismail, visited London, British government sources close to the situation have confirmed to the Guardian. Libyan officials are believed to have met with officials in the west, signaling that Qaddafi may be looking for an exit plan.

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News of the visit comes hours after the defection of Qaddafi henchman and foreign minister, Moussa Koussa, defected from the regime.

Koussa is privy to all the inner workings of the regime, so his departure could open the door for some hard intelligence, though Britain refused to offer him immunity from prosecution. WikiLeaks cables reported Ismail has represented Libya in arms purchase negotiations.

"The message that was delivered to him (Ismail) is that Gaddafi has to go, and that there will be accountability for crimes committed at the international criminal court," a Foreign Office spokesman told the Guardian.

Despite the setbacks and ongoing airstrikes -- now led by NATO -- Qaddafi loyalists have retaken much of the territory the rebels had captured since airstrikes began March 19.