Libya's government is not negotiating about Muammar Gadafy giving up power, a government spokesman said today.
"Information about negotiations about Gadafy stepping down or seeking a safe refuge inside or outside the country are simply untrue," said spokesman Moussa Ibrahim.
"Gadafy is not negotiable, this is our position of principle, and the future of Libya will be decided by Libyans. Gadafy is a historical symbol, and Libyans will die to defend him," said Mr Ibrahim.
"The talks were about a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the start of a dialogue between Libyans, and then the fourth stage which is a transition period over the political change that will be decided by Libyans," he said.
Yesterday, a spokesman for the Gadafy government said it had meetings in foreign capitals with representatives of the rebel opposition to try to negotiate a peace deal.
The spokesman said meetings had taken place in Italy, Egypt and Norway and were witnessed by representatives of those countries' governments. He said talks were still going on.
It was not immediately clear whether the talks took place with the knowledge or endorsement of the rebel National Transitional Council. Most Western countries say the council is the Libyan people's sole legitimate representative.
A Russian newspaper reported today Col Gadafy is sounding out the possibility of handing over power.
"The colonel [Gadafy] is sending signals that he is prepared to relinquish power in exchange for security guarantees," the respected Kommersant newspaper quoted what it called a high-level source in the Russian leadership as saying.
But Western diplomats caution that it is in the Libyan leader's interests to send out conflicting signals about possible deals, in the hope that it will sow confusion among the rebels and the fragile Western alliance trying to push him out.
The Russian report came a day after Russia hosted South African president Jacob Zuma - who has tried to broker a peace deal for Libya - and Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen, for talks that focused on Libya.
Col Gadafy says the rebels are armed criminals and al-Qaeda militants. He has called the Nato operation an act of colonial aggression aimed at stealing Libyan oil.
Rebels control the eastern third of Libya, as well as pockets in the West, and Nato says its strikes are gradually eroding the Libyan leader's hold on power. But the rebels have so far failed to make a breakthrough and advance on Tripoli.
Reuters