Libya's deputy foreign minister has said that the ceasefire announced yesterday "is real, credible and solid".

Khaled Kaim told Today presenter Justin Webb that the Libyan air force was "out of operation" and that "we are willing to receive observers as soon as possible, even today".

He was speaking amid reports of heavy fighting close to the rebel-held city of Benghazi and independent sightings of a Libyan air force jet fighter being shot down by rebels.

Mr Kaim warned that although Libya was ready to respect the resolution of the United Nations resolution allowing for the imposition of a no-fly zone over the country, "if there is an attack from outside or foreign intervention, you will see not only Libyans fighting foreign intervention, you will see people from Algeria, from Tunisia, from Egypt...

"All of them will be part of fighting against any foreign troops on Libyan ground."

And he insisted that Colonel Gaddafi remained popular among the Libyan people. "Maybe some elements are saying they don't like him, but the majority of Libyans are supporting the leaders."

Get in touch with Today via email , Twitter or Facebook or text us on 84844.