Libyan govt. rejects rebel offer of ceasefire

The Libyan government has said it will not accept a rebel offer of a ceasefire if its forces left all cities. This comes as forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi step up attacks on the rebels' last western enclave. Libyan govt. rejects rebel offer of ceasefire Government Spokesman Musa Ibrahim rejected the demands and said forces loyal to the Libyan leader would stay put. "If this is not crazy, I don't know what is. We will not relinquish our cities," Ibrahim said. Meanwhile, pro-Gaddafi forces have intensified their attacks in the western rebel outpost of Misrata. Rebels say Gaddafi's forces have subjected the enclave to an intense bombardment that is killing and injuring civilians. They have appealed to the international community for more weapons to fight those forces' superior firepower. The rebels have been fighting to recapture the key oil port of al-Burayqa, according to broadcaster Al Jazeera. Earlier in the week, pro-Gaddafi forces retook key eastern cities that had been seized by rebel troops. (Beta, file) Germany, China call for political solution Both Germany and China called Friday for non-violent solutions to the conflict. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle reiterated Germany's call for a political solution to end the crisis in Libya, saying on a visit to China Friday that "military means" were not the answer. "There can only be a political resolution and we must get the political process underway. That should begin with a cease-fire that Gaddafi must heed to allow the peace process to begin," he said after talks with his Chinese counterpart. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Liechi said he was "very concerned" by recent developments in Libya as the conflict showed no signs of abating. "We see and hear every day reports that more civilians have been injured and killed and that the military action is likely to escalate," Yang said. All countries should respect the "spirit of the Security Council's resolution." Both Germany and China abstained in the UN Security Council vote on a resolution authorizing the implementation of a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures", and they are not taking part in the allied military operations.

Libyan govt. rejects rebel offer of ceasefire

Government Spokesman Musa Ibrahim rejected the demands and said forces loyal to the Libyan leader would stay put. "If this is not crazy, I don't know what is. We will not relinquish our cities," Ibrahim said.

Meanwhile, pro-Gaddafi forces have intensified their attacks in the western rebel outpost of Misrata.

Rebels say Gaddafi's forces have subjected the enclave to an intense bombardment that is killing and injuring civilians. They have appealed to the international community for more weapons to fight those forces' superior firepower.

The rebels have been fighting to recapture the key oil port of al-Burayqa, according to broadcaster Al Jazeera. Earlier in the week, pro-Gaddafi forces retook key eastern cities that had been seized by rebel troops.

Germany, China call for political solution

Both Germany and China called Friday for non-violent solutions to the conflict.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle reiterated Germany's call for a political solution to end the crisis in Libya, saying on a visit to China Friday that "military means" were not the answer.

"There can only be a political resolution and we must get the political process underway. That should begin with a cease-fire that Gaddafi must heed to allow the peace process to begin," he said after talks with his Chinese counterpart.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Liechi said he was "very concerned" by recent developments in Libya as the conflict showed no signs of abating.

"We see and hear every day reports that more civilians have been injured and killed and that the military action is likely to escalate," Yang said. All countries should respect the "spirit of the Security Council's resolution."

Both Germany and China abstained in the UN Security Council vote on a resolution authorizing the implementation of a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures", and they are not taking part in the allied military operations.