1.773749-1813913976
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is the Arab world's longest-serving leader. He seized power in a military coup in 1969. Image Credit: EPA

Cairo: An Egyptian airport official says a high-ranking member of the Libyan government has landed in Cairo saying he has a message from Muammar Gaddafi.

The official told The Associated Press that the head of Libya's logistics and supply authority arrived on a private jet Wednesday afternoon.

Libyan embassy staff told Egyptian officials that Major General Abdul Rahman Bin Ali Al Saiid Al Zawi was carrying a message from Gaddafi, who is battling an opposition movement that has taken over much of eastern Libya.

The airport official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. He said the plane flew over Greece on the way to Egypt.

Earlier, a Greek air force source said the plane was a Libyan Airlines Falcon 900 that normally carries VIPs, though the pilot denied that dignitaries were on board.

"The pilot tabled a flight plan from Tripoli to Cairo," a air force source said, adding: "The plane crossed southwest of the island of Crete around an hour ago. It should be landing in Cairo by now."

Gaddafi on Tuesday had called Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, the Greek leader's office said. In the discussion, Papandreou had told Gaddafi to seek a peaceful resolution to the rebel uprising against his government.

Gaddafi accuses West of plot to 'colonise' Libya

Gaddafi had earlier accused Western countries, especially France, of plotting to "colonise" his oil-rich nation, in an interview aired by France's LCI television channel on Wednesday.

In pictures: Varied garbs, eccentricities of Gaddafi

When questioned on the stand taken by Western powers, and France in particular, Gaddafi said they "want to colonise Libya again", adding: "It's a colonialist plot."

Britain and France have made the most aggressive calls among Western powers for a no-fly zone to stop Gaddafi's troops attacking opposition forces staging a more than three-week-old rebellion.

The United States has said any such move would need to have full UN backing.

Paris has also praised the national council set up by the rebels.

Libya was annexed by Italy in 1912 after an Italian invasion of the north African country ostensibly to safeguard its interests.

When asked if he envisaged "reprisals" against France, Gaddafi replied: "We'll see".

With inputs from agencies