Libya ready to discuss reforms - government spokesperson

Libya is ready to negotiate reforms, such as elections or a referendum, but only its own people can decide whether Muammar Gaddafi should stay on as leader, a government spokesperson has said.

"We could have any political system, any changes: constitution, election, anything, but the leader has to lead this forward. This is our belief," Musa Ibrahim, the Libyan information minister, told reporters on Tuesday.

He said no conditions could be imposed on Libya from abroad, even though the country was ready to discuss proposals aimed at bringing more democracy, transparency, press freedom and anti-corruption laws.

"Don't decide our future from abroad, give us a proposal for change from within," he said.

Ibrahim also criticized Italy's decision to recognize the Opposition National Council, saying that it is up to Libyans to decide who represents them.

Italy, Libya's former colonial master, on Monday said Gaddafi and his family must leave power and the international community has to stand united against regime diplomacy, Al Jazeera reported.