"Up to now it is impossible to get a political solution. Qadhafi wants to stay, the rebels don't want," said Colonel Juma Brahim, head of the rebels' operational command for the region.

"To the last moment Qadhafi is looking for a peace solution because he is weak, all the soldiers and equipment are coming to our side one by one," Brahim told AFP.

He was speaking after French and Libyan officials on Tuesday talked up the chances of negotiating Qadhafi's withdrawal from power and an end to the conflict still wracking the country after months of military stalemate.

Bruma said it was "difficult to understand" the position of France, which has been one of the main players in the NATO-led coalition which has been conducting an air war against Qadhafi's forces.

French aircraft even carried out controversial arms drops to fighters under Bruma's command in recent weeks.

"On one side she helps you, on the other side (she is) talking to the regime of Qadhafi. Politically it is possible but militarily it is not possible," he said.

"They want not to kill civilian people and to get a solution of peace between Qadhafi and us. That would be okay but up to now it is impossible to get a political solution.

"It is good when everything is on one side -- with him or with us."

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011