the rebel representative meeting with French leaders

Fortia, the rebel representative meeting with French leaders, said the western port city of Misrata, where rebel forces pushed government troops out of the city center, is "the key" to taking Tripoli.

"With a little help from some friends, we will be in Tripoli very soon ... a matter of days," he contended during a news conference.

The plan is to move toward Tripoli from Zlitan west of Misrata and then Al-Khums in a step-by-step advance, members of the delegation said.

"Their message was the following: what we did to liberate our city, we can do it to move forward toward Tripoli," said French philosopher Bernard Henri-Levy, who helped organize the meeting and has championed the Libyan rebel cause.

"If they (the rebels) have the means, they just need a few days to reach the doors of Tripoli. They are expected in the three cities before Tripoli by experienced fighters who are just waiting for them. So a few days will be enough," he said.