PARIS: France accepts Moamer Qadhafi 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 on 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 Qadhafi to give up his civil and military responsibilities.”