Gaddafi son expects negotiation, ceasefire in Libya

A son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi tried on Friday to minimize the extent of fighting with rebels who have seized much of the country, and said he expected negotiated ceasefires in two flashpoint cities within a day. Speaking in English to foreign journalists flown to Tripoli under official escort, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi said rebels who surrendered would not be harmed and that Libya needed reforms.

His account of the state of the country, however, seemed at odds with the control exercised for the past few days in much of the east by groups intent on ending Gaddafi''s 41-year rule and with reports from residents in and around the capital itself.

The London-educated younger Gaddafi said there was no violence outside two western cities and branded as "lies" media reports that troops bombed civilians or were using mercenaries.

"We are laughing at these reports," he said, speaking amiably but with passion, dressed in a sweater and jeans and plainly at ease in a luxury hotel.

"Apart from Misrata and Zawiya, everything is calm ... Negotiations are going on and we are optimistic," the 38-year-old Gaddafi said, while acknowledging trouble in the east. "Peace is coming back to our country," he said.

"In Misrata, in Zawiya, we have a problem. We are dealing with terrorists. But hopefully they are running out of ammunition. Hopefully there will be no more bloodshed. By tomorrow we will solve this. The army decided not to attack the terrorists, and to give a chance to negotiation. Hopefully we will do it peacefully and will do so by tomorrow."

Since revolt broke out last week following the toppling of veteran strongmen in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia, the east of the country has slipped from the control of Gaddafi''s forces and residents have reported fighting ever closer to Tripoli. "Desperate"

Residents of Misrata, Libya''s third largest city, and Zawiya in the west, have said opposition fighters have taken control and have beaten back counter-attacks by the army.

As journalists from Reuters and other news organisations were driven by Libyan officials from Tripoli airport into the city late on Friday, the streets of the capital seemed unusually empty for what is normally a busy part of the weekend.

Earlier in the day, residents spoke of fighting and of some areas appearing to be in the control of Gaddafi''s opponents.

In a characteristic show of defiance, the 68-year-old Gaddafi appeared before thousands of supporters in the central Green Square to vow he would "crush any enemy".

His son said opposition leaders were in a weak position: "The top people in these groups are desperate. We are tellingthem -- lay down your arms and we will not harm you."

Earlier, Turkish television aired comments Saif al-Islam made on Thursday, including the defiant statement: "We have plans A, B and C. Plan A is to live and die in Libya. Plan B is to live and die in Libya. Plan C is to live and die in Libya."

On Friday, the younger Gaddafi, who was seen as a potential reformer before the revolt struck this month, told the newsconference: "We believe we do need to reform our country. We need to introduce many reforms.

"We are strong. We are united, all fighting for our country. We are all united against dark forces," he said. "There is a big conspiracy against our country. There are countries behind this campaign. This is what''s happening in the east. They want to introduce an Afghan model to Libya ... It''s not a secret. Al Qaeda issued a statement supporting these groups.

"It was a mistake not to allow foreign journalists to visit," he said. "That gave a chance to hostile TV channels to say whatever they liked. We were the victim of the media.

"They want to show Libya is burning, that there is a big revolution there. You are wrong. We are united."

At several points, his remarks were interrupted by applause from journalists working for Libyan state controlled media.