Britain is expelling five Libyan diplomats because they “could pose a threat” to national security, Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced.
William Hague told the Commons: “To underline our grave concern at the [Gaddafi] regime’s behaviour, I can announce to the House that we have today taken steps to expel five diplomats at the Libyan embassy in London, including the military attache.
“The Government also judged that were these individuals to remain in Britain, they could pose a threat to our security.”
The expulsion is the latest show of diplomatic force against Libya on the back of military intervention by the west, after 40 nations and organisations gathered in London on Tuesday to discuss Libya’s future and keep up the pressure on Gaddafi.
The UK, France and the United States are all participating in military action in Libya, enforcing a UN Security Council resolution to protect civilians.
Aerial strikes have targeted Gaddafi’s military hardware, bolstering the anti-Government rebels in the east – who aim to ultimately advance on the capital, Tripoli. Fierce fighting continues between pro and anti-Gaddafi forces.
The United States has also suggested it could supply the rebels with transportation and other supplies.
Read more in the Channel 4 News Special Report on Libya
Earlier in the Commons, at Prime Minister’s Questions, David Cameron said the UK would not rule out arming the rebels.
He said the UN Security Council resolution would not block the supply of weapons “in certain circumstances” despite an arms embargo on Libya.
Tornados had destroyed artillery and an armoured vehicle near Gaddafi’s home town Sirte during the latest wave of bombings, he said.
Mr Cameron told MPs: “It is an extremely fluid situation but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind the ceasefire is still being breached and it is absolutely right for us to keep up our pressure under UN Security Council 1973.”
He later told tory backbenchers at a meeting of the 1922 Committee “there may not be a perfect outcome to all this”, apparently keen to stress the limits of the allies’ ability to influence events in Libya given the prohibition on sending in ground forces.
Read more: Who Knows Who - Libya's rebel movement
Responding to a question from Labour leader Ed Miliband on arming rebels, he said: “I’ve said before in this House that we must do everything to comply with both the Security Council resolutions. And as I’ve told the House the legal position is clear that the arms embargo applies to the whole territory of Libya.
“But at the same time UNSCR 1973 allows all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas. Our view is that this would not necessarily rule out the provision of assistance to those protecting civilians in certain circumstances. We do not rule it out but we have not taken the decision to do so.”
Mr Hague said 16 nations are currently contributing assets to coalition operations in Libya, including nations from the Middle East. Vessels from 10 nations are supporting the arms embargo and 350 aircraft are enforcing the no-fly zone. Sweden will also contribute eight fighter aircraft.
The UK has flown 160 aerial missions in Libya, Mr Hague said – and he had received a letter from Misrata thanking him for the alliance’s efforts.
“The letter stated that the local council can testify to the effectiveness and the accuracy of those strikes and confirmed that there has not been a single case of civilian injury, let alone death, in and around Misrata as a result of coalition activity,” he said.
“This is testament to the skill, experience and precision of our armed forces and the whole House will join me in paying tribute to them.”