French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé has revealed discussions have begun between Libya and other key countries to end the crisis in Libya, but there were no full-scale negotiations. Juppé said some Libyan emissaries have told him that Col. Muammar Gaddafi is prepared to leave. On Monday, the U.N. special envoy for Libya, Abdul Elah al-Khatib, called on all sides in the Libyan conflict to engage in direct negotiations.

Abdul Elah al-Khatib, U.N. special envoy for Libya: “I’m urging the parties to increase their focus on working towards a political solution. We would like to see indirect negotiations evolve into direct ones. Enough Libyans have lost their lives. It should be clear that any lasting end to the conflict will require a political solution, and this solution must fulfill the Libyan people’s legitimate aspirations for a peaceful and democratic future. Fighting to the bitter end will only lead to more unnecessary suffering.”