It is up to Libyans to decide if Muammar Gaddafi can remain in Libya if he gives up power, senior Libyan rebel Mahmud Jibril said yesterday during a visit to Spain.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said in Madrid on Wednesday that Col Gaddafi could remain in Libya so long as he completely gave up power, as part of a larger political deal, including a ceasefire, on the future of the country.

“I think the most important question for us is that Gaddafi leave power, this is the first step,” Mr Jibril told a joint news conference with Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez when asked about the French proposal.

“When we get that step secured first then we can move to the next phase, deciding where he can stay and what kind of arrangements are needed. Who is going to decide is the Libyan people themselves,” he added.

“If he is not ready to step down then we are talking about cosmetic reforms within the current regime. That is a waste of the blood that has been spilled over the past five months. We are not interested in that.”