The European Union backs the African Union's diplomatic efforts to bring a peaceful end to the conflict in Libya, the spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said today.

"We support the AU efforts to find a political solution to the situation in Libya," spokesman Michael Mann told a news briefing.

A delegation of African heads of state met Libyan rebel leaders in their stronghold of Benghazi today to try to sell a peace plan already accepted by Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

Ashton will visit Cairo on Wednesday to take part in a meeting on Libya organised by the United Nations and which will also be attended by the African Union and the Arab League, Mann said.

Meanwhile, a group of some 20 Libyan men held a demonstration in Valletta this morning, calling on the government to recognise the Benghazi-based national council and withdraw recognition of the Gaddafi governemnt.

They are also insisting that the international community should reject any proposals for the setting up of a transitional government which would be headed by Saif al-Islam, Muammar Gaddafi’s son.

The demo started near Freedom Square and made its way to the law courts.

The demonstrators criticised Turkey and the African Union for their ceasefire proposals. They said a ceasefire could only take place if Col Gaddafi and his family left Libya.