Cameron, Sarkozy Visit with Rebels in Tripoli

British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Libya on Thursday to meet with revolutionary leaders.

The two are the first foreign statesmen to visit Tripoli since the fall of the city last month. Cameron and Sarkozy, both strong supporters of the NATO effort in the country, visited with members of the National Transitional Council (NTC), Libya's interim government.

After visiting a medical center in Tripoli with NTC head Mustafa Abdul Jalil and chairman Mahmoud Jibril, Cameron and Sarkozy held a press conference during which they sent a strong message to deposed leader Moammar Gadhafi.

It is over, give up, Cameron said. Anyone who thinks Gadhafi has any role [in ruling the country] should forget it.

Sarkozy vowed that Gadhafi will be brought to justice, but urged Libyans to avoid vengeance and retaliation when they finally capture their former head of state.

Gadhafi went into hiding following the fall of Tripoli in August. His whereabouts are unknown, but rebels believe he is still somewhere in Libya.

On Thursday, families fled from the city of Bani Walid in advance of a rebel attack. Bani Walid is one of just a few cities, along with Sirte and Sabha, still loyal to Gadhafi.

After fierce fighting and a failed negotiation, the NTC on Tuesday gave Bani Walid residents 48 hours to flee the city before rebels launched an offensive.The rebels are currently amassing a large force outside the city.

In Tripoli on Thursday, Sarkzoy was accompanied by journalist-philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, who is credited with guiding the president's hand into Libya.

Last month, Sarkozy hosted the 'Friends of Libya' conference in Paris, during which world leaders, such as U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, met with Jalil and Jibril to discuss the political future of Libya.

Cameron and Sarkozy's visit was preceded by a visit from Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who was in Libya Wednesday. Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to speak with the NTC later this week.