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Libya: Allies meet for Libya conference in London Libya: Allies meet for Libya conference in London
(40 minutes later)
Members of the international community are to hold a meeting in London later to discuss the next steps for Libya amid the UN-backed military action.Members of the international community are to hold a meeting in London later to discuss the next steps for Libya amid the UN-backed military action.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he hoped the meeting of about 40 delegations would ensure "maximum political and diplomatic unity".UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he hoped the meeting of about 40 delegations would ensure "maximum political and diplomatic unity".
Foreign Secretary William Hague said of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi: "We want him to go, to leave power." Foreign Secretary William Hague met a Libyan opposition envoy before the summit to discuss humanitarian needs.
Mr Hague said of Col Muammar Gaddafi: "We want him to go, to leave power."
But he denied the coalition was involved in "regime change" in Libya.But he denied the coalition was involved in "regime change" in Libya.
He told BBC News: "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: "We're not in control of where he might go. I'm not going to choose Col Gaddafi's retirement home."
"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.""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."
Humanitarian needs
Tuesday's conference will bring 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 will bring together all members of the coalition in the military operation, as well as the UN, Nato, the African Union and Arab League.
The countries' leaders said his regime had completely lost its legitimacy. The countries' leaders said Col Gaddafi's regime had completely lost its legitimacy.
Libyan Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC) special envoy Mahmoud Jabril met Mr Hague before the conference started at the foreign secretary's request, but the Foreign Office said no opposition representatives would attend the conference.
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."
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.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.
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, said it would not attend.
The conference will also examine the provision of humanitarian aid.The conference will also examine the provision of humanitarian aid.
The shadow foreign secretary, Douglas Alexander, said he would like to see a "deepening and broadening" of the coalition.The shadow foreign secretary, Douglas Alexander, said he would like to see a "deepening and broadening" of the coalition.
He told BBC News on Tuesday: "There will need to be greater clarity of the relationship between the Nato command and control structure and the broader political groupings meeting in London today."He told BBC News on Tuesday: "There will need to be greater clarity of the relationship between the Nato command and control structure and the broader political groupings meeting in London today."
Mr Alexander said questions also needed to be asked about the humanitarian effort and suggested the international community named a single individual to take charge of the overall aid effort.Mr Alexander said questions also needed to be asked about the humanitarian effort and suggested the international community named a single individual to take charge of the overall aid effort.
In a joint statement on Monday, Mr Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the conference would "bring the international community together to support Libya's transition from violent dictatorship and to help create the conditions where the people of Libya can choose their own future". Nato began two days ago to take over control of the coalition military action, which is aimed at enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya and protecting civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi.
Addressing the people of Libya, the statement said the Gaddafi regime had completely lost its legitimacy and Libya's leader must "go immediately".
Transition process
"We call on all his followers to leave him before it is too late. We call on all Libyans who believe that Gaddafi is leading Libya into a disaster to take the initiative now to organise a transition process," it said.
Mr Sarkozy and Mr Cameron held a conference call with US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday to discuss a Franco-British proposal to help pave the way for a political transition, the French presidency said.
On Sunday, Nato began taking over control of the coalition military action, which is aimed at enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya and protecting civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi.
Nato has denied air strikes are meant to provide cover for a rebel advance.Nato has denied air strikes are meant to provide cover for a rebel advance.
Addressing Americans on Monday evening, President Obama defended the first war launched under his presidency, insisting US military involvement in Libya would be limited. Addressing Americans on Monday evening, President Barack Obama defended the first war launched under his presidency, insisting US military involvement in Libya would be limited.
He said US intervention had saved "countless lives" threatened by the forces of the "tyrant" Muammar Gaddafi.He said US intervention had saved "countless lives" threatened by the forces of the "tyrant" Muammar Gaddafi.
But having led the initial campaign, the US would hand over to Nato allies on Wednesday, he said.But having led the initial campaign, the US would hand over to Nato allies on Wednesday, he said.
Anti-Gaddafi rebels have seized a number of coastal communities and important oil installations in recent days, including Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad.Anti-Gaddafi rebels have seized a number of coastal communities and important oil installations in recent days, including Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad.
However, repeated attacks by government troops have prevented them reaching Sirte, a symbolic target for the rebels as the birthplace of Col Gaddafi.However, repeated attacks by government troops have prevented them reaching Sirte, a symbolic target for the rebels as the birthplace of Col Gaddafi.