Western coalition strikes stem from a "big misunderstanding" about the nature of Libya's rebellion, Muammar Gaddafi's son said today, claiming the rebels were "gangsters" and "terrorists."

Saif al-Islam, a key figure in the Gaddafi regime who had been tipped as a future Libyan leader, defiantly denied there was any reason for his father to step aside.

"There is a big misunderstanding," he told ABC's "This Week" programme.

"The whole country is united against the armed militia and the terrorists.

"Our people went to Benghazi to liberate Benghazi from the gangsters and the armed militia," he said, referring to the rebel bastion in eastern Libya.

"So if you, if the Americans want to help the Libyan people in Benghazi... go to Benghazi and liberate Benghazi from the militia and the terrorists."

US, British and French forces have launched the West's biggest intervention in the Arab world since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, firing more than 120 Tomahawk Cruise missiles and conducting bombing raids on key Libyan targets.

US military officials say the strikes, which came after the United Nations Security Council authorised all necessary means to implement a no-fly zone to protect Libyan civilians, have stopped Gaddafi's forces in their tracks.

Asked if the Gaddafi regime would retaliate by launching strikes on Western commercial aircraft, Saif al-Islam responded:

"No, this is not our target.

"Our target is how to help our people in Libya, especially in Benghazi. Believe me, they are living a nightmare. A nightmare, really."