France and Italy are joining Britain in sending military officers to Libya to help advise rebels on technical, logistical and organisational issues.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, offered assistance to Abdel Jalil, the leader of the Libyan Transitional National Council, when they met in Paris on Wednesday.

"We are going to help you," Sarkozy told him.

Jalil said he invited Sarkozy to visit Benghazi, the rebel stronghold in Libya's east.

"I think that would be very important for the revolution's morale," Jalil said after the meeting.

Sarkozy's office said it had "taken note" of the invitation.

A French foreign ministry spokesperson said a small number of liaison officers would be sent out to Benghazi along with a special envoy, while Italy said it was ready to send around 10 officers - "the same number of military staff as Britain".