Libya needs 'national reconciliation': Russia

The Russian envoy to Tripoli, Mikhail Margelov, has urged the Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi, to start a process of national reconciliation in order to gain forgiveness from Libyans.

The Libyan rebels have frequently rejected any mediation that is not based on the immediate departure of Gaddafi and his sons from power in Libya.

But speaking to the BBC's Jeremy Bowen, Mr Margelov told the BBC that Colonel Gaddafi should be able to stay in Libya as long as he surrenders power.