Libyan govt not pleased by West's recognition of Benghazi opposition

"We are not very pleased by such decisions of Western countries," he said after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday, July 20.

The minister expressed confidence that "the existing conflict in the country must be solved peacefully" and stressed that "there is no crisis in Libya in the military sense".

At this point the sides are negotiating the African Union's initiative. There is on goal - to stop the bloodshed in the country," the minister said.

He refused to discuss the question of Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi's exit.

"This question is not to be discussed," he said.

Speaking about Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi's possible future, Federation Council Committee on International Relations Chairman and the Kremlin's special representative for Africa Mikhail Margelov said earlier, "There is a possible option where Gaddafi continues living in Libya as a private individual with his people and his tribe but relinquishes power and his family stays away from taking economic decisions."

"Oriental countries have a strong tradition of forgiveness and reconciliation," Margelov said. "Algeria's former leader continued living quietly in his homeland after the overthrow of his regime, and a similar situation occurred with the former Sudanese President."

Margelov believes that this solution could suit Libya as well.

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