Officials from the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have gone to Tripoli, to discuss extending humanitarian activities throughout Libya.

The team arrived on Wednesday at the invitation of the Libyan authorities, the ICRC said on its website on Friday.

The officials met the prime minister, the secretary of health and environment and the chief of staff of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi. More high-level meetings are planned.

The head of the team, Jean-Michel Monod, described the first discussions as “substantial and encouraging”.

"The organisation stands ready to assess the situation from a humanitarian viewpoint in some of the worst-affected areas in order to meet the most pressing needs of vulnerable people," the website said.

“Access to people arrested in the initial phase of the unrest and to those captured in connection with the ensuing armed conflict” was also discussed.

The ICRC has been in eastern Libya since February 26. It currently has about 40 staff in its office in Benghazi. It has a logistical base and warehouse further east in the city of Tobruk, and has also been working in Ajdabiya to the west.

It has brought in food and essential household items as well as medical equipment.

So far it has visited over 80 servicemen and others held by the rebels in Benghazi.

It has consistently urged both sides to allow it access to other cities and areas.

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