France denies direct talks with Gaddafi government

France denied on Monday being in direct talks with Muammar Gaddafi's government, but said it had told the Tripoli government the Libyan leader must relinquish power in order to reach a political solution to the country's crisis.

"France wants a political solution, like we have always said," foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in an online media briefing. "There are no direct negotiations between France and the Gaddafi regime, but we pass messages through the rebel council (TNC) and our allies." (Reuters)