Desk Report: France accepts Muammar Gaddafi could stay in Libya if he quits politics, under a ceasefire deal to end a conflict with rebels backed by Paris, the French foreign minister said Wednesday.

“One of the possibilities being considered is that he stay in Libya but on the clear condition that he steps aside from Libyan political life,” the minister, Alain Juppe, told LCI television.

“That is what we are waiting for before we start the political process for a ceasefire,” he added. “The ceasefire comes about by a formal and clear commitment by Gaddafi to give up his civil and military responsibilities.”

France is taking part in NATO-coordinated strikes against Gaddafi’s military assets and was the first outside state to formally recognise the rebels’ Transitional National Council.

Libyan rebel military leaders from the city of Misrata were due to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy Wednesday seeking extra aid for their fight, a source close to their delegation told AFP Tuesday.

Meanwhile: Russia Wednesday was to host Libyan leader Gaddafi’s foreign minister in Moscow as it presses ahead with mediation efforts to end the conflict between his regime and rebel forces.