French President Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled to meet with Mahmoud Jibril, leader of the Libyan rebel National Transition Council, in the Elysee Palace at 5:45 p.m. local time Wednesday, the president's office said in a statement.

Sarkozy and Jibril will discuss "situation in Libya and the action of the international community to support the political transition to a free and democratic Libya," the brief statement said.

After their talk, a joint press conference is expected around 18:30, it added.

The statement came as the rebel offensive in the Libyan capital Tripoli continued on Wedesnday.

Rebel forces have taken control the majority of the city, and have overran the symbolic, fortified compound in the heart of Tripoli.

The International community, including the UN, the United States, the European Union and some Arab countries, have already expressed support for the Libyan rebels.

A high-level meeting of the contact group over Libya was expected to convene in Paris next week.