Eight generals from embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's army have defected to Italy, the Italian Foreign Ministry told CNN Monday.

The generals were accompanied by more than 100 Libyan soldiers, a senior Italian official with first-hand knowledge of and responsibility for the operation said.

The Libyans crossed their country's border into Tunisia, where they were met by Italian intelligence agents, the official said.

The news came on the same day that South African President Jacob Zuma met with Gadhafi to push for a cease-fire between Gadhafi's forces and rebel fighters, officials said.

Zuma arrived in Tripoli Monday afternoon on his second visit to the capital aimed at mediating an end to the fighting that began when Gadhafi resisted popular efforts to end his 42-year-rule.

A Libyan government official said the leaders met Monday, with Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi also in attendance.

Baghdadi greeted the South African leader at Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport, where dozens of Gadhafi supporters carried posters, some of which said, "May the leader be victorious" and "Thanks for great Africa." Read More