Deputy foreign minister says frustrated tribal leaders will attack rebels themselves if deal not done by Monday night

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

Libyan forces have pulled back from their siege of Misrata to let tribal leaders in the area attempt to negotiate a political resolution, according to the Libyan government.

In an acknowledgement that loyalist troops had failed to take control of the city after two months of the siege, the deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim, said: "The tactic of the army was to have a surgical strike but, with the [Nato] air strikes, that doesn't work."

He said tribal leaders had set a 48-hour deadline – due to expire on Monday night – to strike a deal with the rebels, who hold the port area of Misrata and have made gains in the centre of the city in recent days.

If the talks failed, the tribal leaders would launch a military assault on the rebel strongholds, Kaim said. He warned that could be "very bloody".

Tribal leaders have not confirmed any intervention, and rebel leaders in Misrata are sceptical about the government's statements. Kaim said the tribes were "trying to get in contact with the rebels".

Gaddafi's forces have faced setbacks both in Misrata and the western mountain region, close to the Tunisian border.

The government's assertion that tribal leaders are ready to intervene politically and militarily may be an attempt to pressure rebels after the killing and capture of rebel troops, and to deflect attention from rebel gains.

"The armed forces have ceased operations [in Misrata]," Kaim said in Tripoli. "The leaders of the tribes decided to do something to bring normal life back [to the city].

"Their main demand is that foreign fighters leave the town or surrender themselves to the army."

The regime maintains that rebel fighting in Misrata and the east of the country is being driven by al-Qaida and Hezbollah militants – a claim rejected by the opposition.

Kaim said the tribal leaders wanted to reopen access to the port, which has been under the control of rebel forces since the siege began. The port served all Libyans, he said, but was of particular interest to tribes in the region south of Misrata.

"The leaders of the tribes are determined to find a solution to this problem within 48 hours," he added. "The other option is military intervention."

He claimed the six tribes in the region could muster a force of 60,000 men to "liberate" the city. Any assault by the tribal forces would be ruthless, he claimed.

"The tribal leaders are pushing to intervene militarily," he said. "We have to do our utmost to stop this. If the tribes move into the city, it will be very bloody and I hope to God we will avoid this."

Despite the Libyan government's claim to have suspended military operations, residents and journalists in Misrata reported continued shelling on Saturday. Twenty-four people were killed and about 75 wounded, according to doctors.

US Predator drones have begun flying sorties over Libya and hit a government rocket launcher in Misrata on Saturday.

Last week, Nato air strikes took out three command and control centres around the city of Sirte, between Tripoli and Misrata, which is thought to have affected government military communications.

Kaim said the deployment of Predator drones would result in more civilian deaths. "When President Obama was elected, I was one of those who celebrated in the hope of a more peaceful world, he said. "But now I'm losing faith with him."

He said 18 warships from Nato countries were blockading the port of Tripoli, in violation of UN security council resolution 1973, which authorised military action to protect civilians.

"They are preventing civilian materials reaching the Libyan people," he said.