Libyan regime spokesman said on Friday that embattled President Muammad Gaddafi’s representatives were ready to hold talks with U.S. officials and rebels, stressing Gaddafi would not step down.

Libyan regime spokesman said on Friday that embattled President Muammad Gaddafi’s representatives were ready to hold talks with U.S. officials and rebels, stressing Gaddafi would not step down.

The Government spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, added that Gaddafi was encouraging his people to talk to rebels, but insisted he would not talk to the insurgents himself.

Ibrahim said senior Libyan officials had a `productive dialogue' with U.S. counterparts last week in a rare meeting that followed the Obama administration's recognition of the rebel government that hopes to end Gadhafi's 41-year rule.
"We believe other meetings in the future ... will help solve Libyan problems," Ibrahim told reporters in Tripoli on Friday. "We are willing to talk to the Americans more."

However, Ibrahim stressed that Libya after five months of war and a NATO bombing campaign, remained "very powerful we are not falling; we are not falling apart."
"NATO, you are losing, you will lose. The armed gangs -- you have no future in the rest of the country. Admit it."

Ibrahim reiterated that Gadhafi would not leave his position nor leave Libya on demands from rebels or from NATO.

Meanwhile, early on Saturday NATO warplanes bombed targets in the Libyan capital, causing damage and casualties, Libyan state television said, without giving details.
The rebels declared advances this week but they also suffered losses near their stronghold of Misrata and in fighting for Brega.