Gaddafi staying in Libya and in power: spokesman

Tripoli, Jun 27: Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has no intention of leaving power or Libya, despite rebel claims they are expecting a proposal to end the conflict from Tripoli very soon, the government spokesman said today.

"Gaddafi is here. He is staying. He is leading the country. He will not leave. He will not step down because he does not have any official position," Mussa Ibrahim said when asked about rebel reports that they expect an offer from Gaddafi very soon.

"We will not give in to some criminal gangs who took our cities hostage. We will not give in to the criminal organisation of NATO. Every one continues to fight. We are ready to fight street to street, house to house," he added.

Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC), said on Jun 25 intermediaries had indicated that a proposal from Gaddafi was in the works, offering a faint glimmer of hope for a deal to end the bloodshed.

"We expect to get an offer very soon; he is unable to breathe," said Ghoga.

"We want to preserve life, so we want to end the war as soon as possible," he added. "We have always left him some room for an exit." Ghoga said the NTC was not in direct talks with Gaddafi, but understood through contacts with France and South Africa that an offer was being prepared.

AFP