Libya's parliament head, Abul Qasim al-Zuai, condemned the West's air strikes on his country as acts of "barbaric aggression" after Tripoli announced a truce in its battle against armed rebels.

"Western nations are carrying out air strikes at several locations in Tripoli and Misrata, causing massive damage to civilian and other infrastructure," he told a press conference in Tripoli.

"This barbaric aggression against the Libyan people comes after we announced a ceasefire," Zuai said.

"The pretext that this aggression is designed to protect civilians is contradicted by what has happened on the ground tonight," he said.

"A large number of civilians wounded by this aggression have filled up hospitals, and ambulances are still trying to reach them," said the Libyan official, without giving numbers.

Libyan state television said earlier that a French warplane was shot down today in the Njela district of Tripoli.