The rebel alliance still under arms includes the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD), the Rally of Democratic Forces (RAFD), and the Platform for Change, National Unity and Democracy (SCUD).

Makaila Nguebla, a spokesman in Dakar for the National Rally for Democracy (RND), another of the groups in the rebel alliance, said on Sunday the insurgents would fight on.

"For us this changes nothing. We're not interested in any mediation by Gaddafi, or by France, or by anyone. We are going to continue to fight this regime," he told Reuters by telephone.

(Additional reporting by Betel Miarom in N'Djamena)