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| Libya action: Arab support very strong, Cameron says | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Arab support for the military operation over Libya is "very strong", Prime Minister David Cameron has said. | |
| He told the House of Commons Kuwait and Jordan would take part, and that Qatar already had planes in action. | He told the House of Commons Kuwait and Jordan would take part, and that Qatar already had planes in action. |
| Mr Cameron was speaking as British forces resumed patrols in the skies over Libya, with Tornado and Typhoon jets seen taking off from their bases. | Mr Cameron was speaking as British forces resumed patrols in the skies over Libya, with Tornado and Typhoon jets seen taking off from their bases. |
| The coalition operation to protect civilians from Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces is in its fifth day. | The coalition operation to protect civilians from Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces is in its fifth day. |
| At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron said there had not been as much Arab involvement "as perhaps would have been welcomed by everybody in this House" because action had to be taken quickly on Saturday. | |
| He added: "Clear support is there from the secretary general [of the Arab League]... and I believe support in the Arab world, not just among Arab leaders, but also amongst Arab people, for saving lives in Libya is very strong." | |
| Mr Cameron told MPs that 11 nations were contributing more than 150 aircraft. | |
| 'Good effect' | |
| He confirmed that Qatari Mirage jets had been taking part in the operation, and said there would be "logistic help" from countries like Kuwait and Jordan. | |
| Three RAF Typhoons and two RAF Tornados took off from Gioia del Colle airbase in southern Italy on Wednesday morning. | Three RAF Typhoons and two RAF Tornados took off from Gioia del Colle airbase in southern Italy on Wednesday morning. |
| The prime minister said the coalition operation over Libya had had a "good effect" in protecting civilians, but that it was still early stages. | |
| Labour leader Ed Miliband asked Mr Cameron to "clarify" the government's position on whether Col Gaddafi himself should be targeted. | |
| "It is very important that we stick to the terms of the UN resolution as we seek to maintain the coalition that we have built," he said. | |
| There have been conflicting signs in Westminster about whether the Libyan leader could be a target. | |
| No 10 had indicated it could be legal under certain circumstances, but the Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Sir David Richards, said it was "not allowed under the UN resolution". | |
| 'Running commentary' | |
| Mr Cameron told Mr Miliband: "All our targets must be selected to be absolutely in line with UN Security Council resolution 1973. That allows us to take all necessary measures to enforce a no-fly zone." | |
| "But I don't propose to give a running commentary on targets, or frankly to say anything beyond that." | |
| As the coalition operation continues, there have been reports of further fighting in Libya between Col Gaddafi's forces and the rebels. | |
| Witnesses in the rebel-held town of Misrata say pro-Gaddafi snipers have been firing on a hospital, killing at least three people. | |
| Mr Cameron said the news from Misrata was "of great concern". | |
| There are reports that the coalition has launched new air strikes near the town. |