Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi has lost his legitimacy and should step down, G8 leaders said on Friday in a draft version of their summit statement.
"It is clear that Gaddafi and his regime continue to commit grave abuses against the Libyan people. Gaddafi has lost all legitimacy. He must go," the statement said.
"We believe that Col. Gaddafi himself destroyed his legitimacy and we should help him go," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in Deauville.
Moscow is ready to mediate, he added.
Earlier, NATO denied reports that it had received a letter from Gaddafi's regime seeking a ceasefire.
London-based daily The Independent reported that Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi was sending international leaders messages proposing an immediate UN-monitored ceasefire in Libya. The Spanish government also said it had received such a message.
According to the letter seen by the newspaper, Gaddafi's regime was ready to "enter unconditional talks with rebels, declare an amnesty for both sides and draft a new constitution."
"We take note of the fact that the Gaddafi regime has made similar statements before and has then continued its attacks on civilians. It is actions which matter here, not words," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungesku said.
"NATO will keep up the pressure on the regime until these steps are implemented in a credible, verifiable and sustained way," she added.
MOSCOW, May 27 (RIA Novosti)
