20110328
reuters

NAWFALIYAH, Libya (Reuters) - Rebels advanced towards the birthplace of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Monday, firing mortars and heavy machineguns in sporadic clashes with loyalist forces.

Emboldened by Western-led air strikes against Gaddafi's forces, the rebels took the town of Nawfaliyah and moved towards Sirte, the leader's birthplace and an important military base, in the sixth week of an uprising against his 41-year rule.

Diplomatic activity accelerated on the eve of a 35-nation meeting in London on Tuesday to discuss the crisis in the oil-producing North African country.

Italy proposed a political deal including a quick ceasefire, exile for Gaddafi and dialogue between rebels and tribal leaders.

Russia criticised the Western intervention that has turned the tide in the conflict, saying it amounted to taking sides in a civil war and breached the terms of a United Nations Security Council resolution.

The French and British leaders called for supporters of Gaddafi to abandon him and asked Libyans opposing him to join a political process to pave the way for his departure.

"Gaddafi must go immediately," President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister David Cameron said in a joint statement. "We call on all his supporters to drop him before it is too late."

In the nine days since the start of the Western-led bombing, the motley volunteer force of rebels has pressed half-way along the coast from its stronghold of Benghazi towards the capital Tripoli, regaining control of all major oil terminals in the east of the OPEC member state.