Sarkozy, Cameron to Gadhafi Followers: Leave Him Before It's Too Late

Britain and France called Monday for Libya's rebel national council and civil society leaders to help a transition towards democracy, ahead of a London meeting on the country's future.

"In the words of the Arab League resolution, the current regime has completely lost its legitimacy," said a joint statement from French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Leader Moammar "Gadhafi must therefore go immediately," it said, a day before an international conference in London to discuss "a better future for the people of Libya" as Western air power helps rebels make dramatic advances.

"We call on all his followers to leave him before it is too late. We call on all Libyans who believe that Gadhafi is leading Libya into a disaster to take the initiative now to organize a transition process.

"In our view, this could include the Interim National Transitional Council, the pioneering role of which we recognize, the civil society leaders as well as all those prepared to join the process of transition to democracy.

"We encourage them to begin a national political dialogue, leading to a representative process of transition, constitutional reform and preparation for free and fair elections."

France is the only Western country to have officially recognized the rebels. Qatar did so on Monday.

Tuesday's meeting will be the first of the "contact group", comprising countries led by France, Britain and the United States which are carrying out military attacks on pro-regime forces, as well as countries that support the action.

Sarkozy and Cameron vowed that they would continue to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 which authorized military intervention to protect Libyan citizens rebelling against Gadhafi's regime.

"More countries from Europe and the Arab world are joining us. It is only when the civilian population are safe and secure from the threat of attack and the objectives of Resolution 1973 are met that military operations will come to an end.

"We emphasize that we do not envisage any military occupation of Libya ... We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya.

"A lasting solution can only be a political one that belongs to the Libyan people. That is why the political process that will begin tomorrow in London is so important.

"The London conference will bring the international community together to support Libya's transition from violent dictatorship and to help create the conditions where the people of Libya can choose their own future.

"In London, our countries will come together with the U.N., the European Union, the African Union, NATO and the Arab League to consider how we can bring urgent relief now, and how we can support the needs of the people of Libya in the future."

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, who is to attend the London talks, said that "finding a political perspective can only come through dialogue between Libyan parties."

Tuesday's talks will "push for this dialogue with the National Transitional Council which today is the only organized opposition, and doubtless with the tribal authorities who have a major social role in Libya," Juppe told journalists in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, where he is mayor.

Juppe said he hoped "that we'll see men and women appearing in Tripoli who realize that by following Gadhafi they're heading for a dead-end," but stressed that this was "for the Libyans to do."