Berlin to provide aid in Libya

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BERLIN, April 8 (UPI) -- Berlin said it was ready to help with the humanitarian mission in Libya but ruled out direct military intervention, a source said Friday.

Western and Arab forces intervened in Libya under a mandate from a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing a no-fly zone to protect civilians from attacks by fighters loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.

French fighters were among the first to take to the skies of Libya, though rebel forces are struggling to take the initiative against better-equipped pro-Gadhafi forces. A source in the German government said Berlin was willing to participate in humanitarian efforts in Libya in coordination with the European Union but ruled out military action, Defense News reports.

The rebel-backed transitional council is making political gains despite the plight of rebel forces on the ground. Ankara announced a three-point road map that it said would usher in a genuine cease-fire in Libya.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the plan at a news briefing in Ankara.

Erdogan called on forces loyal to Gadhafi to lift the siege imposed on "certain cities" in Libya and retreat immediately. Humanitarian zones, meanwhile should be in place to help assist those caught up in the conflict. Finally, the prime minister said "comprehensive democratic change" must be launched immediately.

"This process should aim at establishing a constitutional democracy in which people would be able to elect their leaders with their free will," said Erdogan.

Ankara is in touch both with Gadhafi loyalists and members of the transitional council in rebel-held Benghazi.