Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmudi called for new negotiations between the government and rebel leaders to resolve the conflict. He also accused NATO of crimes against humanity in its attacks on Libya.

Earlier, Libyan rebels said that 10 civilians had been killed and 40 wounded in a rocket attack by Colonel Gaddafi's forces on Misrata.

"Our doors are open to all and we are in contact with all the parties," Mr Mahmudi said, according to Agence France-Presse.

He said meetings had taken place in Egypt, France, Norway and Tunisia, and that he could "name the persons" who attended from the rebels' side.

But Mahmoud Jibril, the head of international affairs in the rebel National Transitional Council, said earlier on Friday that there had been "no negotiation" between the council and the regime.

Speaking in Naples after meeting Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, he said that were negotiations to take place, the TNC would "announce it out of commitment to our friends all over the world".

On Friday, Libyan government forces bombarded the western rebel-held city of Misrata and territory between Dafniya and Zlitan held by rebel fighters.