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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 said.Allied strikes on Libya will continue until its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, meets UN terms, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.
She spoke after 40 delegations met in London to discuss the next steps for Libya amid UN-backed military action.She spoke after 40 delegations met in London to discuss the next steps for Libya amid UN-backed military action.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the coalition has been "widened and deepened" on an "important day".Foreign Secretary William Hague said the coalition has been "widened and deepened" on an "important day".
Meanwhile pro-government forces are intensifying their attacks on Libyan rebels, driving them back.Meanwhile pro-government forces are intensifying their attacks on Libyan rebels, driving them back.
The BBC's Nick Springate says the rebels have lost one of the towns they previously captured - Bin Jawad - and most have now fled even further east past the town of Ras Lanuf.The BBC's Nick Springate says the rebels have lost one of the towns they previously captured - Bin Jawad - and most have now fled even further east past the town of Ras Lanuf.
Misrata, closer to Tripoli, has also come under heavy attack and blasts have been reported in the capital.Misrata, closer to Tripoli, has also come under heavy attack and blasts have been reported in the capital.
There has been an atmosphere of restrained anxiety at this conference.There has been an atmosphere of restrained anxiety at this conference.
The fact quite so many busy foreign ministers and other top officials changed their schedules to fly to London at short notice shows just how concerned they were.The fact quite so many busy foreign ministers and other top officials changed their schedules to fly to London at short notice shows just how concerned they were.
The unease, it seems, is not only among those countries reluctant to get involved in air strikes.The unease, it seems, is not only among those countries reluctant to get involved in air strikes.
Even countries like France and Britain, who've led the mission, seem worried in case Colonel Gadaffi's forces dig themselves in shielded by civilians from air strikes and become almost impossible to dislodge. Even countries like France and Britain, who've led the mission, seem worried in case Col Gaddafi's forces dig themselves in shielded by civilians from air strikes and become almost impossible to dislodge.
William Hague's statement, which concluded the conference did not reveal what plans there might be to deal with that problem William Hague's statement, which concluded the conference, did not reveal what plans there might be to deal with that problem
Mrs Clinton said action from the allies would continue until Col Gaddafi met UN terms, stopped attacking civilians and pulled back his forces.Mrs Clinton said action from the allies 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.
Mrs Clinton told reporters there had been no talk about arming rebels.Mrs Clinton told reporters there had been no talk about arming rebels.
However, she suggested that it would be legal to arm them.However, she suggested that it would be legal to arm them.
"It is our interpretation that (UN Security Council resolution) 1973 amended or overrode the absolute prohibition on arms to anyone in Libya, so that there could be a legitimate transfer of arms if a country should choose to do that," she told reporters."It is our interpretation that (UN Security Council resolution) 1973 amended or overrode the absolute prohibition on arms to anyone in Libya, so that there could be a legitimate transfer of arms if a country should choose to do that," she told reporters.
The BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, said he understood the UK government also agreed arming the rebels would be legal "in certain circumstances".The BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, said he understood the UK government also agreed arming the rebels would be legal "in certain circumstances".
Mrs Clinton's comments come as the US steps back from its lead role in the mission and hands over authority to Nato.Mrs Clinton's comments come as the US steps back from its lead role in the mission and hands over authority to Nato.
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.
Col Gaddafi sent an open letter to the conference, describing the Western-led air strikes as "barbaric".Col Gaddafi sent an open letter to the conference, describing the Western-led air strikes as "barbaric".
After the meeting, the chairman - Mr Hague - outlined points agreed by participants:After the meeting, the chairman - Mr Hague - outlined points agreed by participants:
  • 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
  • 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.
He added that Sweden had agreed to join Nato military operations in Libya, supplying eight fighter planes to patrol the no-fly zone.He added that Sweden had agreed to join Nato military operations in Libya, supplying eight fighter planes to patrol the no-fly zone.
Other countries, which he declined to name, were discussing what contribution they could make, he said.Other countries, which he declined to name, were discussing what contribution they could make, he said.
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.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 said the allies were still "getting to know" the opposition.Asked about his comments, Mrs Clinton said the allies were still "getting to know" the opposition.
SnipersSnipers
Opening the meeting, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said Col Gaddafi was carrying out "murderous attacks" on the city of Misrata.Opening the meeting, UK Prime Minister David 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".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told delegates he would lead efforts to co-ordinate the international effort to map out Libya's future.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.
Opposition representativesOpposition representatives
Ahead of the summit, Mr Hague discussed humanitarian needs with Libyan special envoy Mahmoud Jabril from the Libyan Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC).Ahead of the summit, Mr Hague discussed humanitarian needs with Libyan special envoy Mahmoud Jabril from the Libyan Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC).
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.
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.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, did not attend.But Russia, which says the action has gone beyond the terms of the UN resolution that authorised it, did not attend.
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.