Italy has begun discreet talks with the Libyan "National Council" leading the armed revolt against Muammar Gaddafi, to help find a solution to the crisis, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said today.

"We have better contacts than others" in Libya, which is an ex-Italian colony, Frattini told RAI 1 television.

"We know the former justice minister who is now head of the provisional Council of Benghazi, and that network of Libyan ambassadors that have said they are now at the service of the people, not the regime," he said.

"Some of them are now moving to reach an agreement. We are too, but discreetly. I think that's the best solution," Frattini said, without giving further details.

The national council was set up by the rebel leaders, including former Libyan justice minister Mustafa Abdel Jalil, in Benghazi in a bid to organise the scattered uprisings against Kadhafi's rule across the country.

Frattini said it was "quite difficult" to consider "the involvement of Italian planes in military operations in Libya," but added that Italy was ready to offer military bases and logistical support out of "euro-Atlantic loyalty."

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