Libya's rebel forces say they are preparing to strike hard against a weakened Muammar Gaddafi as he faces new defections and a crescendo of calls to surrender power, while his weakened war machine is threatened by Nato airstrikes.

Rebel foreign minister Fathi Baja told reporters he believes South African president Jacob Zuma, currently  in Tripoli, is negotiating an exit strategy for Gaddafi, even though Mr Zuma's office denies this.

Mr Baja said today: "I think Gad.dafi is in big trouble. The balance of power has changed completely militarily, the circle around him is deserting him ... even Russia is asking him to leave."

He said Gaddafi was a coward who would not fight to the death, and "right now is looking for a way to leave".

Gaddafi appeared in public for the first time in weeks yesterday to welcome President Zuma and gave no indication he plans to go

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