BENGHAZI- Libyan rebels on Monday rejected a road map initiated by the African Union calling for ceasefire between the rebels and forces loyal to the Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi, because it did not include the ouster of Gadhafi.

The rebel's council strongly rejected any mediation initiative that could pave the way for Gadhafi's stay in power. He and his family must leave Libya, Libyan rebel leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil told a press conference in opposition's stronghold of Banghazi.

"It (the African Union's road map initiative) has already surpassed the time. We know the departure of Gadhafi and his sons is the people's demand," said Abdul-Jalil, head of the opposition Interim Transitional National Council.

"Any initiative that does not include this popular and paramount demand is not worth discussing. Gadhafi must leave immediately."

The African Union's road map called for an immediate ceasefire, cooperation in opening channels for humanitarian aid and starting a dialogue between the rebels and the government, without mentioning any requirement for troops loyal to Gadhafi to pull back from Brega, Las Ranuf, and Misrata.

A delegation comprised by leaders from South Africa, Mali, and Mauritania, arrived in Benghazi Monday to meet with Libyan rebels, trying to broker a ceasefire between the government forces  and the militants in Banghazi.

The delegation tried to convince people in Tripoli and Banghazi to stop the war but the rebels rejected the road map, which does not mention the resignation of Gadhafi.

Since Monday morning, hundreds of residents in Benghazi have gathered in front of the hotel where the meeting was held, rejecting any negotiation that allows Gadhafi and his family to stay in Libya.

The delegation met Gadhafi in Tripoli on Sunday and said the Libyan leader had accepted the road map.

Mull Sebujja, Uganda's ambassador to Ethiopia, said what Libya needs now is a ceasefire of all involved parties and access for humanitarian assistance, and the negotiation should lead to transitional arrangements for political reforms.

"Gadhafi declared the ceasefire last month, but that is not reached through negotiation, it is a unilateral declaration," Sebujja said.

"The declaration should involve both parties and you must put a credible mechanism on the ground to observe it, and that is why we come here," he added.