Libyan Rebels has demanded that they will not pursue Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi over crimes they say he has committed if he steps down from his post in the next 72 hours, the head of the rebel National Libyan Council has told.
"If he leaves Libya immediately, during 72 hours, and stops the bombardment, we as Libyans will step back from pursuing him for crimes," Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the opposition
National Council. He further told that the deadline would not be extended beyond 72 hours.
"Based on our love for our country we have proposed to the Gaddafi's indirect negotiators that a solution can be reached," "Conditions are that firstly he stops all combat in the fields, secondly that his departure is within 72 hours; thirdly we may waive our right of domestic prosecution ... for the crimes of oppression, persecution, starvation and massacres.
"We will have to wait and see what the regime's response is."
Libyan state television on Tuesday denied reports that the Libyan leader tried to strike a deal with opposition forces seeking his removal. An official from the Libyan foreign ministry described the reports as "absolute nonsense".
However, a spokesman for the opposition National Council in the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi confirmed that a representative had sought to negotiate Gaddafi's exit.
Gaddafi was reported to have sent a representative to Benghazi on Sunday night to discuss a conditional plan to step down. The offer was provided on the condition that Gaddafi would be able to keep his assets and avoid prosecution.
Conflicting reports
The Libyan leader is said to be willing to step down in return for having war crimes charges against him dropped and a guaranteed safe exit for him and his family. He also reportedly wants guarantees from the UN that he will be allowed to keep his money.
The US responded to the alleged proposal by rejecting any amnesty for Gaddafi."Any departure from Libya does not exempt Mr Gaddafi or his family from any responsibility and accountability for what has occurred," PJ Crowley, spokesman for the White House, said on Tuesday.
"The head of the opposition National Council says there were indirect talks with people from Tripoli, who were given the green light from the regime," she said. "But the spokesman for the National Council denies any of that."
Abdel Hafiz Ghoga said talks with Gaddafi were not taking place.
"Our demands are as clear as the revolution. We are not negotiating at all," he said.
"We have appealed to the United Nations to impose a no fly zone in Libya to protect our families and to prevent any aircraft attacks like the ones you are hearing about."
A Aljazeera correspondent reported that there was no optimism in Benghazi following news of the proposed deal.
"There is no more euphoria of a revolution," she said.
"People are worried it will move towards civil war which will continue for months on end. There is a realisation that there is no institution in this country - that you have to avoid chaos.
"It's a matter of waiting and seeing. Military commanders are continuing on their mission to get military structure to the group of volunteers [fighters] who are very disorganised."
