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Libya air strikes go on until Gaddafi climbdown - US Libya air strikes go on until Gaddafi climbdown - US
(40 minutes later)
Allied strikes on Libya will continue until its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, meets UN terms, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told world leaders.Allied strikes on Libya will continue until its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, meets UN terms, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told world leaders.
Some 40 delegations met in London to discuss the next steps for Libya amid UN-backed military action.Some 40 delegations met in London to discuss the next steps for Libya amid UN-backed military action.
Forces opposed to Col Gaddafi, helped by foreign air strikes, have made rapid progress in recent days but pro-Gaddafi forces are now pushing them back.Forces opposed to Col Gaddafi, helped by foreign air strikes, have made rapid progress in recent days but pro-Gaddafi forces are now pushing them back.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said allied action was saving lives.UK Prime Minister David Cameron said allied action was saving lives.
Col Gaddafi has sent an open letter to the conference, describing the western-led air strikes as "barbaric".Col Gaddafi has sent an open letter to the conference, describing the western-led air strikes as "barbaric".
Tuesday's conference brought together all members of the coalition in the military operation, as well as the UN, Nato, the African Union and Arab League.Tuesday's conference brought together all members of the coalition in the military operation, as well as the UN, Nato, the African Union and Arab League.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, who chaired the meeting, outlined points agreed on by participants: After the meeting, the chairman - UK Foreign Secretary William Hague - outlined points agreed by participants:
  • Col Gaddafi and his regime have completely lost legitimacy and will be held accountable for their actions
  • To enforce the restrictions and sanctions on the regime and to act to prevent the supply and operations of mercenaries
  • To consider pursuing, in the UN and regional organisations, further sanctions
  • The Libyan people must be free to determine their own future
  • Humanitarian provision must be made for 80,000 people displaced by the unrest
  • Col Gaddafi and his regime have completely lost legitimacy and will be held accountable for their actions
  • To continue their efforts until all conditions - an immediate ceasefire, a halt to all attacks on civilians and full humanitarian access to those in need - are fulfilled
  • To enforce the restrictions and sanctions on the regime and to act to prevent the supply and operations of mercenaries
  • To consider pursuing, in the UN and regional organisations, further sanctions
  • To set up a contact group to lead international efforts to map out Libya's future - the first meeting will take place in Qatar
    •
  • The Libyan people must be free to determine their own future
  • Humanitarian provision must be made for 80,000 people displaced by the unrest
"We are united in seeking a Libya that does not pose a threat to its own citizens, the region or more widely; and in working with the people of Libya as they choose their own way forward to a peaceful and stable future," Mr Hague said."We are united in seeking a Libya that does not pose a threat to its own citizens, the region or more widely; and in working with the people of Libya as they choose their own way forward to a peaceful and stable future," Mr Hague said.
Mrs Clinton told reporters there had been no talk about arming rebels.
In the meantime, Adm James Stavridis, a leading US and Nato commander, has told the US Senate that intelligence reports had showed "flickers" of a possible al-Qaeda presence among the Libyan opposition.
Asked about his comments, Mrs Clinton admitted the allies were still "getting to know" them.
SnipersSnipers
Opening the meeting, Mr Cameron said Col Gaddafi was carrying out "murderous attacks" on the city of Misrata.Opening the meeting, Mr Cameron said Col Gaddafi was carrying out "murderous attacks" on the city of Misrata.
"Gaddafi is using snipers to shoot people down and let them bleed to death in the street. He's cut off food, water and electricity to starve people into submission and he is harassing humanitarian ships that are trying to get into the port to do what they can to relieve their suffering."Gaddafi is using snipers to shoot people down and let them bleed to death in the street. He's cut off food, water and electricity to starve people into submission and he is harassing humanitarian ships that are trying to get into the port to do what they can to relieve their suffering.
"He continues to be in flagrant breach of the UN Security Council resolution. That is why there has been such widespread support among the Libyan people and in the wider Arab world for the action that we're taking. It has saved lives and it is saving lives.""He continues to be in flagrant breach of the UN Security Council resolution. That is why there has been such widespread support among the Libyan people and in the wider Arab world for the action that we're taking. It has saved lives and it is saving lives."
He said his message to the people of Libya was that there were "better days ahead".He said his message to the people of Libya was that there were "better days ahead".
Mrs Clinton said action would continue until Col Gaddafi met UN terms, stopped attacking civilians and pulled back his forces.Mrs Clinton said action would continue until Col Gaddafi met UN terms, stopped attacking civilians and pulled back his forces.
She added that military means alone would not force Col Gaddafi out after 42 years in power, and that further sanctions and diplomatic pressure were needed.She added that military means alone would not force Col Gaddafi out after 42 years in power, and that further sanctions and diplomatic pressure were needed.
"All of us must continue to increase the pressure on and deepen the isolation of the Gaddafi regime through other means as well," she said."All of us must continue to increase the pressure on and deepen the isolation of the Gaddafi regime through other means as well," she said.
Her comments come as the US steps back from its lead role in the mission and hands over authority to Nato.Her comments come as the US steps back from its lead role in the mission and hands over authority to Nato.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, told delegates he would lead efforts to co-ordinate the international effort to map out Libya's future.The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, told delegates he would lead efforts to co-ordinate the international effort to map out Libya's future.
"The transition to a democratic government and society will take time and the support of us all. The United Nations is ready and willing to help the people of Libya in this transition," he said."The transition to a democratic government and society will take time and the support of us all. The United Nations is ready and willing to help the people of Libya in this transition," he said.
Both David Cameron and Hillary Clinton set out three priorities for this meeting: an agreement to maintain the military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Colonel Gaddafi's regime; stepped up efforts to bring humanitarian aid to Libyan towns and cities; and above all the start of a process to chart the country's political future.Both David Cameron and Hillary Clinton set out three priorities for this meeting: an agreement to maintain the military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Colonel Gaddafi's regime; stepped up efforts to bring humanitarian aid to Libyan towns and cities; and above all the start of a process to chart the country's political future.
That future though inevitably depends upon Col Gaddafi's departure.That future though inevitably depends upon Col Gaddafi's departure.
Italy and some other countries appear to favour providing the Libyan leader with an exit route.Italy and some other countries appear to favour providing the Libyan leader with an exit route.
In the wake of this London meeting diplomatic efforts to resolve this crisis will move into high gear.In the wake of this London meeting diplomatic efforts to resolve this crisis will move into high gear.
A UN envoy is set to return to Libya for talks with both sides, and the African Union - which was not present in order to preserve its neutrality - could play a key role in brokering a settlement.A UN envoy is set to return to Libya for talks with both sides, and the African Union - which was not present in order to preserve its neutrality - could play a key role in brokering a settlement.
As the talks took place in London, pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya were using heavy weaponry to halt the advance of rebel fighters.As the talks took place in London, pro-Gaddafi forces in Libya were using heavy weaponry to halt the advance of rebel fighters.
The rebels had made quick progress westwards from their stronghold in Benghazi, seizing a number of coastal communities and important oil installations, including Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad.The rebels had made quick progress westwards from their stronghold in Benghazi, seizing a number of coastal communities and important oil installations, including Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad.
But they have since been forced to abandon the key town, Bin Jawad, and the city of Misrata, closer to Tripoli, is reported to be under heavy attack from government troops.But they have since been forced to abandon the key town, Bin Jawad, and the city of Misrata, closer to Tripoli, is reported to be under heavy attack from government troops.
Meanwhile, Adm James Stavridis, a leading US and Nato commander, has told the US Senate that Col Gaddafi is likely to leave power if an international military uses "all the elements of power" against him.
'Gaddafi's retirement home''Gaddafi's retirement home'
Ahead of the summit, Mr Hague discussed humanitarian needs with a Libyan opposition envoy. Ahead of the summit, Mr Hague discussed humanitarian needs with Libyan special envoy Mahmoud Jabril from the Libyan Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC).
Mr Hague said the UK wanted Col Gaddafi "to go, to leave power," but denied the coalition was involved in "regime change".
"We're not in control of where he might go. I'm not going to choose Col Gaddafi's retirement home," he told BBC News.
"Of course I believe he should face the ICC [International Criminal Court]. But of course where he goes, if he goes, is up to him and the people of Libya to determine and we will not necessarily be in control of that."
At a meeting of the UK cabinet ahead of the summit, ministers were updated on the progress of the military campaign and on Mr Hague's meeting with Libyan Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC) special envoy Mahmoud Jabril.
No Libyan opposition representatives were invited to attend the conference, but private meetings were also held with German and French foreign ministers and Mrs Clinton.No Libyan opposition representatives were invited to attend the conference, but private meetings were also held with German and French foreign ministers and Mrs Clinton.
Spokesmen for the council held their own press conference to say the council's role was to facilitate a transition - once Col Gaddafi had gone - until a new constitution had been crafted by the Libyan people.Spokesmen for the council held their own press conference to say the council's role was to facilitate a transition - once Col Gaddafi had gone - until a new constitution had been crafted by the Libyan people.
In a statement, Mr Hague said: "The ITNC is an important and legitimate political interlocutor and the UK is committed to strengthening our contacts with a wide range of members of the Libyan opposition who are working to create a Libya where the legitimate aspirations of its people can be met. In a statement, Mr Hague said: "The ITNC is an important and legitimate political interlocutor and the UK is committed to strengthening our contacts with a wide range of members of the Libyan opposition who are working to create a Libya where the legitimate aspirations of its people can be met."
"We considered how best the UK, as well as other attendees at today's London conference, can best support the Libyan people, and I asked for Mr Jabril's assessment of the humanitarian needs in Libya and priorities for international assistance."
Mr Cameron will also meet Mr Jabril later on Tuesday.Mr Cameron will also meet Mr Jabril later on Tuesday.
It is hoped the presence of Arab countries Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates will help to strengthen the alliance behind military action. Arab countries Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates were represented at the meeting. Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and UN Special Envoy for Libya Abdelilah Mohamed al-Khatib also attended.
But Russia, which says the action has gone beyond the terms of the UN resolution that authorised it, said it would not attend. But Russia, which says the action has gone beyond the terms of the UN resolution that authorised it, did not attend.
Attendees include Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe and UN Special Envoy for Libya Abdelilah Mohamed al-Khatib.
The shadow foreign secretary, Douglas Alexander, said he would like to see a "deepening and broadening" of the coalition and greater clarity of the relationship between the Nato command and control structure and the broader political groupings.
The coalition military action is aimed at enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya and protecting civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi. It has denied air strikes are meant to provide cover for a rebel advance.The coalition military action is aimed at enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya and protecting civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi. It has denied air strikes are meant to provide cover for a rebel advance.