Libya group urges Gaddafi to go

International airstrikes have failed to break the military deadlock in Libya

International delegates are to hold talks on the conflict in Libya, amid calls for Nato to intensify its campaign there.

At the talks in Qatar, delegates from the “contact group” on Libya will hear from leaders of the rebels seeking to topple Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

Ahead of the meeting, the French and British foreign ministers said Nato should be doing more in Libya.

But a Nato general said the alliance was doing a “great job”.

The talks come amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in the rebel-held city of Misrata, where pro-Gaddafi forces have continued to launched fresh attacks.

The last rebel-held area in the west, Misrata has been under siege for more than six weeks, with rights groups warning of a shortage of food and medical supplies.

On his way to the talks, British Foreign Secretary William Hague noted that the military situation had gone back and forth, telling the BBC that more pressure – both political and military – could be necessary.

“What may appear at the moment a military deadlock is not a deadlock in the world of diplomacy and sanctions, the isolation of the regime, and I hope the recognition of many in the regime that it has no long-term future,” he said.

The BBC’s James Robbins says many countries meeting in Qatar believe Col Gaddafi has to go, and want that made explicit in a joint statement at the end of the meeting.

But he says that agreeing such a position may prove hard.

France and Britain both want more Nato states to contribute combat aircraft to the mission in Libya, with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe saying on Tuesday that Nato’s efforts in Libya were so far “not enough”.

“Nato must play its role fully. It wanted to take the lead in operations,” he said.

Airstrikes have so far failed to tip the military balance decisively against Col Gaddafi’s regime.

Dutch Brig Gen Mark Van Uhm, head of Nato operations in Libya, said he felt Nato was doing well “with the assets we have”.

The alliance had been successful in establishing a no-fly zone, protecting civilians and enforcing an arms embargo, he said.

Earlier this week the rebels’ Transitional National Council (TNC) rejected an African Union proposal for a ceasefire in Libya, because it did not provide for Col Gaddafi’s immediate departure from power.

The plan included a call for an immediate end to hostilities, unhindered humanitarian aid, protection of foreign nationals, dialogue between opposing sides and an end to Nato air strikes.

Among those due to attend the talks in Qatar will be former Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa, who fled to the UK late last month.

He is expected to meet rebels and the Qatari government on the sidelines of the talks and offer “insights” on the current situation in Libya, according to British officials.

Mr Koussa is a former head of Libyan intelligence and has been accused of being involved in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.

A spokesman from the UK government said that Mr Koussa was “a free individual, who can travel to and from the UK as he wishes”.

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