Libya rebels reject truce plan, say Gaddafi must go

Libyan rebels rejected an African Union peace plan, and insisted that the only solution was the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi. -- PHOTO: AP

BENGHAZI (Libya) - LIBYAN rebels on Monday rejected an African Union initiative for a truce accepted by Muammar Gaddafi, and said the only solution was the strongman's ouster, an idea his son called 'ridiculous.'

The rebel rejection came after Nato chiefs warned that any deal must be 'credible and verifiable,' and as alliance warplanes were again in action against Gaddafi armour pounding Ajdabiya and Misrata.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also stuck to US demands for Gaddafi to step down and leave Libya as part of a peaceful transition, but declined to comment on the proposed African Union deal before being fully briefed.

'We have made it very clear that we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see the Libyan regime forces pull back from the areas they have forcibly entered,' she told a news conference in Washington.

'We want to see humanitarian assistance reach the people of Libya. These terms are non-negotiable. We believe, too, that there needs to be a transition that reflects the will of the Libyan people and the departure of Gaddafi from power and from Libya.'

Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam admitted that it was time for 'new blood' in Libya, but called talk of his father stepping down 'ridiculous.' 'The Libyan Guide does not want to control everything. He is at an advanced age. We would like to bring a new elite of young people onto the scene to lead the country and direct local affairs,' he told French network BFM. 

-- AFP