[Anderson:] Thousands filled Benghazi's main square on Friday to mourn Abdul Fatah Younes, the leader of the Libyan rebel army. He was shot dead on Thursday in mysterious circumstances. Mourners at his funeral chanted that he was a martyr for the rebel cause. Before defecting to the rebels in February, Younes was a key figure in Colonel Gadhafi's inner circle, serving as his interior minister for a period of time. Now, questions are now being asked about whether his old ties to Gadhafi are the reason for his killing. Let's get an update for you from Ivan Watson, who's joining us from Tripoli with more. Ivan?
[Ivan Watson, Cnn Correspondent:] Well, the big question here, who killed Abdul Fatah Younes? Where did it happen? What were the circumstances? And depending on what the answer to that question is, this could have immense consequences on this conflict, on this civil war that is now going into its sixth month, Becky. And some of the mystery here is because the head of the rebel Transitional National Council, when he initially made his statement, announcement, about 24 hours ago that General Younes had been killed, he also went on to say that they were still looking for the general's body. A lot of questions unanswered in that initial statement. Moments after he made it, some of General Younes's supporters showed up in Benghazi outside the hotel where the press announcement was made and began opening fire and even accusing the head of the rebel council of having some role in the killing of their leader. Now, why is this such a big deal? Because it suggests it could lead to bigger schisms within the rebel council. That could be a big boon to Colonel Gadhafi's forces, who have been grinding on in a conflict on three fronts against the rebels. Becky?
[Anderson:] Ivan's on the ground for you in Tripoli, tonight. Ivan, thank you for that. So, was General Younes's assassination a signal of a widening rift in rebel ranks? We can get the inside word, now, from a representative of Libya's interim government. Ali Suleiman Aujali is Libya's former ambassador to the United States, but he's now on the side of the National Transitional Council, which has now been recognized by many countries around the world as the legitimate government in Libya. Sir, what do you understand to have happened?
[Ali Suleiman Aujali, Us Representative, Libyan Transitional National Council:] Well, what I understand that General Younes was killed
[Anderson:] By whom?
[Aujali:] he was assassinated by some militant, which really, I don't know much about them. And but the things I'm very sure of, that there is no conspiracy behind that. We don't know
[Anderson:] That's interesting, can I just stop you there, sir? Let me just stop you there for one second. You say "by some militant." I'm not quite sure and all our viewers be sure what you mean by "some militant" as opposed to a rebel, somebody who's fighting against Gadhafi? Who are you talking about here?
[Aujali:] Well, that until now, I believe nobody can confirm exactly what happened to Mr. Abdul Fatah Younes after he'd been called. Who was behind that? But to what we are sure of, that either some of Gadhafi's infiltration to the force designated to Benghazi, that he used his money and his some loyal to interrupt what's going on in Libya for the last few days after the shooting has been done
[Anderson:] Yes, that would be more convenient. That would be more convenient for the Transitional Council, let's face it, wouldn't it, than if he'd been assassinated by somebody within his own ranks? Certainly there is narrative which suggests that there is a rift amongst the ranks of the rebels. How do you respond to that, if at all?
[Aujali:] Well, I don't think so, it will come to that point. Of course there are different views between the officers of high-ranking and the national army of the plan to get rid of the regime of Gadhafi. But the difference of views, this is kind of democracy, which we're supposed to practice since February this year. And what's happening? It's a really great loss, of course. Abdul Fatah Younes, he resigned from Gadhafi's government the same day I did, the 21st of February, and he's been doing very well, very well. We do understand that there are differences between some officers, yes. But that doesn't mean that will the assassination is the result of that
[Anderson:] Right,
[Ok -- Aujali:] I think this is just a stupid action if it has happened from inside the eastern part, from the one who is really accountable of the revolution. But if it has happened from Gadhafi's regime, which I believe that's what's really happening, because the media of Gadhafi, for the last few weeks, they've been talking about Gadhafi about Abdul Fatah Younes assassination.
[Anderson:] All right,
[Ok -- Aujali:] If it was the media of Gadhafi that has been saying this for the last few weeks.
[Anderson:] You've made your point, let's move on. The Transitional Council, the rebels' cease-fire is effectively over, so far as they are concerned. That was last week. There's a stalemate so far as who is winning or winning out in this war. NATO continues to drop its bombs, the Europeans are beginning or certainly the West is beginning to suggest that, listen. As long as Gadhafi stands down at this point, he can stay in the country. There was a sense that NATO members are looking to the endgame here. What's going on? Are you on the up or not at this point?
[Aujali:] Well, to me, there is only one option and one solution. There is no peaceful negotiation or political solution with Gadhafi. To me, it's Gadhafi must leave the country and must leave power. Without Gadhafi's presence, Libyan people, they will never enjoy anything. No reform, no democracy, no freedom
[Anderson:] But you haven't got the support of even William Hague at this point. He says, now, the British Foreign Minister now says, listen, if he has to stay in the country, he has to stay in the country. He's not any longer calling for Gadhafi to leave the country as he was with Hillary Clinton about two or three months ago.
[Aujali:] Well, I think I do respect what Mr. Hague said, but this is his own view, and he's expressing the view from his point of view. But for the Libyans, to me, any compromise with Gadhafi or his family to stay in Libya, that all of these people have been killed and sacrificed for the freedom to and for the democracy to come to this country, that will be really in vain. We are not fighting just to at the end, we come and sit to Gadhafi and tell him, "OK, you can have a place to sit in Libya." This man you cannot we cannot endure anything with him. Gadhafi, put him in the desert, you give him a cell phone, you give him a big card of $15, he will make trouble for you, believe me that.
[Anderson:] What
[Aujali:] Gadhafi is not the man who will enjoy his retirement on a nice house in front of the beaches and he can read and he can walk around. This is not this kind of people who can do that.
[Anderson:] What happens on Monday? It's the start of Ramadan, of course.
[Aujali:] Of course, Ramadan is coming, and there is no cease-fire for me. Cease-fire with Gadhafi, that means giving him more time to get more munition, he'll get more weapons, and he'll get more mercenaries. This is a problem. Gadhafi we should not give him any rest at all until he's out.
[Anderson:] With that, we're going to leave it there, sir. We do very much appreciate you joining us here on CONNECT THE WORLD this evening. We'll speak to you again. Libyan ambassador there in the US. Well, the Libyan woman who became the face of the struggle against Colonel Gadhafi's regime is starting a new life in the United States. Eman al-Obeidi touched down in New York on Friday. She came to international attention, remember, in March, alleging she'd been gang raped by members of Gadhafi's security forces. Well, she fled the country and, after seeking refuge at a UN facility in Romania, she has now been granted asylum in America. Forty-four minutes past 9:00 in London this Friday evening. You're with CONNECT THE WORLD, I'm Becky Anderson. Still to come, shedding new light on what has long been an aviation mystery. Air France offers more answers about doomed flight 447. Stay with us.