Libya, Syria (and Beyond) LiveBlog: Assad Stands Firm but Qaddafi Ally Gives In

2115 GMT: The Guardian of London is claiming that the Libyan regime has sent Mohammed Ismail, a senior aide to Muammar Qaddafi's son Saif al-Islam, to London for confidential talks with British officials.

The newspaper, saying the discussion is "believed to have been one of a number between Libyan officials and the west in the last fortnight", believes this is a sign that the Libyan regime is seeking an exit strategy to step down from power.

2025 GMT: Video of Syrian military in positions in Daraa, the southern town which has been the flashpoint of protests and violence over the last two weeks:

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