Chinese state media say talks Tuesday between Chinese officials and a top representative of the Libyan rebel movement will likely focus on Beijing's efforts to mediate an end to the North African conflict.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said little about the visit, announcing only that Mahmoud Jibril, the chairman of the executive board of Libya's National Transitional Council, would hold talks in Beijing Tuesday and Wednesday.

But the Communist Party-controlled Global Times newspaper described the visit as part of an effort by the rebels to strike up relations with key global players. It quoted analysts saying Chinese officials have shown a growing interest in helping to end the fighting between the rebels and forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Mr. Gadhafi's foreign minister, Abdelati Obeidi, visited Beijing for three days of talks earlier this month. A Chinese diplomat has also met in Qatar with the leader of the rebel movement, Mustafa Abdel Jalil.

The analysts quoted by Global Times say China is not likely to take sides in the conflict, but will seek to resolve the conflict by talking to both the government and the rebels. They also say Beijing is anxious to ensure the protection of Chinese interests in Libya.

China is a major purchaser of Libyan oil and has significant investments in its energy sector. Beijing evacuated more than 30,000 of its nationals from the country in the early days of the conflict.