Russia offers to broker Gadhafi's exit

DEAUVILLE, France, May 27 (UPI) -- Russia is willing to help get Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi out of power, an official said at the Group of Eight summit in France Friday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, echoing the stand of all the G8 leaders, told the RIA Novosti news agency in Deauville, France: "We believe that Col. Gadhafi himself destroyed his legitimacy and we should help him go."

He said Russia could help mediate the dictator's departure.

Earlier Friday, NATO dismissed a report from The Independent newspaper in London that Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi was making offers to call an immediate ceasefire and negotiate with the rebels.

"We take note of the fact that the Gadhafi regime has made similar statements before and has then continued its attacks on civilians. It is actions which matter here, not words," said NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu.