French Foreign Minister said his country “accepts Muammar Gaddafi could stay in Libya if he quits politics”, as the rebels pulled back from a strategic town.

French Foreign Minister said his country “accepts (Embattled Libyan President) Muammar Gaddafi could stay in Libya if he quits politics”, as the rebels pulled back from a strategic town.

"One of the possibilities being considered is that he stay in Libya but on the clear condition that he steps aside from Libyan political life," the minister, Alain Juppe, told LCI television.

"That is what we are waiting for before we start the political process for a ceasefire," he added.

"The ceasefire comes about by a formal and clear commitment by Kadhafi to give up his civil and military responsibilities."

France is taking part in NATO-coordinated strikes against Gaddaf's military assets and was the first outside state to formally recognize the rebels' Transitional National Council.

Meanwhile on the ground, the Libyan rebels were pushed back from the oil town of Brega late Tuesday.

Gaddafi forces shelled opposition positions near Berga killing 13 fighters and wounding dozens more, officials said.

Rebel forces have been pushing to seize the frontline town, which is home to an oil refinery and terminal, for nearly a week, but they say minefields planted by Gaddafi's forces have slowed the advance.

They took positions 10km east of the oil port, working to clear the mines so they can move forward.

"Maybe within three or four days we will solve this problem of mines and we will be in Brega," said rebel spokesman Ahmed Bani.