At a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya to "give peace a chance" in that region.

Jintao said the UN resolution on a no-fly zone in Libya was meant to end violence and protect civilians. Any military action that causes a greater humanitarian crisis runs counter to the "original intention" of the resolution, he added.

He reiterated China's opposition to the use of force, and expressed support for any political move to ease the Libyan crisis.

"History has repeatedly proved that the use of force is no answer to any problem. Instead, it will only make the problem more complicated," The China Daily quoted Jintao, as saying.

He said the ultimate solution lay in dialogue and other peaceful means. He noted that some countries and regional organisations had put forward "constructive" proposals and suggestions to solve the Libyan crisis, which "deserve a positive response".

"Let's give peace a chance. This conforms to the interests of all sides concerned," Jintao said.

China abstained from the United Nation Security Council vote that authorised the no-fly zone in Libya.

Besides Beijing, other major players on the global stage, including the African Union and Russia, have opposed air strikes in Libya.

While Western powers are keeping up the pressure to force Al Qathafi out with air strikes, diplomats are attempting to persuade the Libyan leader to leave without military force.

A senior Ugandan official said a day after his country first offered Al Qathafi refuge, that the leader has not asked for political asylum in his country. Ugandan Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, said on Thursday in Moscow, that Ugandan authorities have therefore not formally made an offer to him.