Rebels say in arms talks with friendly states

BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libyan rebels are in talks to obtain weapons from "friendly" countries and expect they will be able to get them, a rebel spokesman said on Wednesday.

Rebels fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi say they need more heavy weapons to take on the Libyan leader's better-armed and trained forces.

"I don't think there will be a problem getting weapons," national council spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga told reporters in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

The insurgents had asked countries that recognized the council as Libya's legitimate representative for arms, he said.

"We have our representatives in discussions with these countries...and their responses have been positive," he said, without giving further details.

Ghoga said the council was happy with the results of Wednesday's conference in Doha, where international powers called on Gaddafi to step aside.

"The results of the Doha meeting today were very positive," he said. "No solution for Libya can be achieved without the departure of the Gaddafi regime."

During the meeting, Western powers and Middle Eastern states agreed to provide material support for the rebels. Although the statement did not give details, diplomats said some nations might interpret this as supplying arms.

Ghoga said the council believed that United Nations resolution 1973 authorizing the use of force to protect civilians in Libya allowed the rebels to arm themselves.

He said he expected military trainers would enter the country to train them but insisted Libyans did not want foreign troops on the ground.

The head of rebel forces, Abdel Fattah Younes, previously said Qatari military instructors were teaching rebels how to use anti-tank and other weapons.

(Reporting by Alex Dziadosz; Editing by Angus MacSwan)