Arab foreign ministers are to hold crisis talks Saturday to discuss imposing a no-fly zone over Libya , Arab League officials said, as Libyan jets keep up near daily strikes to crush a rebellion.

The meeting was initially scheduled for Friday, but was postponed a day after requests from several foreign ministers, deputy secretary general Ahmed Ben Hilli told reporters.

"The meeting was requested by several Arab states and comes after several contacts undertaken by the secretary general," said Hisham Youssef, Secretary General Amr Mussa's chief of staff.

Another Arab League official said the meeting is aimed at "discussing the steps to be taken to protect the Libyan people, including imposing a no-fly zone over Libya ."

The 22-member body, which last week said it would reject any foreign military intervention in Libya , had barred Tripoli from attending its meetings until it responds to the demands of the rebels.

Rights groups say thousands have been killed since February 15 in Libya where rebels are fighting to overthrow leader Moammar Gadhafi.

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