U.S. dismisses election proposal by Gaddafi son

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday dismissed an election proposal by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son.

"I think it's a little late for that," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily briefing.

"It's a little late for any proposals by Gaddafi and his circle for democratic change. It's time for him to go," saying the only proposal the United States would entertain from Gaddafi would be his "stepping down from power."

Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera the long-time Libyan leader was willing to hold elections and step aside if he lost.

However, Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi later appeared to question the potential concession, telling reporters: "I would like to correct (that) and say that the leader of the revolution is not concerned by any referendum."

(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Eric Beech)