Libyan rebels say AU peace plan means Gaddafi exit

Libyan rebels on Saturday welcomed a peace proposal by the African Union, saying they interpreted it as meaning Muammar Gaddafi should play no further role in the country's leadership. 

AU leaders on Friday offered to host immediate talks between the two Libyan sides on a ceasefire and a process of transition towards a democratic government, but left open the question over Gaddafi's future role in the country. "We understood that the spirit of the document is that Gaddafi will not have a role to play in the future of Libya," Mansour Sayf al Nasr, the rebel's representative for France, told reporters at the summit in Equatorial Guinea. Gaddafi's officials have yet to react publicly to the plan. (Reuters)