'Gaddafi has lost all legitimacy. He must go': G8 draft

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The leaders of the G8 powers were to tell Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi on Friday that he has lost all legitimacy and must step down, according to a draft version of their summit statement.

The leaders were still meeting, and it was not immediately clear if they would authorise the strong language in the draft, with Russia in particular keen to promote a negotiated settlement to the Libya civil conflict.

But the language in the draft being circulated among the delegations in the French resort of Deauville early on Friday was stark.

"It is clear that Gaddafi and his regime continue to commit grave abuses against the Libyan people. Gaddafi has lost all legitimacy. He must go," the statement said, warning: "These criminal actions will not go unpunished.

"We demand the immediate cessation of the use of force against civilians by Gaddafi's followers and mercenaries as well as the cessation of all incitement to hostility and violence against the civilian population," it said.