A spokesperson for the Libyan government said that officials have been meeting with rebel leaders in an effort to negotiate a settlement. The spokesperson said meetings have taken place in Egypt, Norway and Italy, and were attended by officials of the rebels, the government, and the talks' sponsors.

Earlier, the rebels said that they were turning down a plan calling for a peaceful transfer of power proposed by the African Union, because it did not call for Muammar Qaddafi's immediate resignation. They said, however, that they would not insist that Qaddafi leave the country if he agreed to step down immediately.