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Libya crisis will not end in stalemate - William Hague Libya crisis will not end in stalemate - William Hague
(40 minutes later)
The military intervention in Libya will not end in a stalemate, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.The military intervention in Libya will not end in a stalemate, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.
He said Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime had no future because it was isolated and "can't sell any oil".He said Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime had no future because it was isolated and "can't sell any oil".
Fighting has resumed in Libya, with rebel forces battling for control of the eastern oil town of Brega.Fighting has resumed in Libya, with rebel forces battling for control of the eastern oil town of Brega.
Earlier, a poll for BBC News suggested that two-thirds of people believed Britain's military involvement in Libya would go on for some time.Earlier, a poll for BBC News suggested that two-thirds of people believed Britain's military involvement in Libya would go on for some time.
Of 2,000 people asked, 65% said the UK's involvement in Libya "will last for some time", while just 14% chose the option "will be over pretty quickly", and 20% did not know.Of 2,000 people asked, 65% said the UK's involvement in Libya "will last for some time", while just 14% chose the option "will be over pretty quickly", and 20% did not know.
Coalition forces have been attacking targets in Libya for two weeks, under a UN resolution which authorises military strikes to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly zone.Coalition forces have been attacking targets in Libya for two weeks, under a UN resolution which authorises military strikes to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly zone.
The action followed protests against Col Gaddafi's 42-year-long rule, which began peacefully but soon escalated into violent confrontation.The action followed protests against Col Gaddafi's 42-year-long rule, which began peacefully but soon escalated into violent confrontation.
Overnight, shelling resumed in Misrata, Libya's third biggest city and the last big rebel stronghold in the west, which has been besieged for weeks.Overnight, shelling resumed in Misrata, Libya's third biggest city and the last big rebel stronghold in the west, which has been besieged for weeks.
Asked on the Andrew Marr show on BBC1 about the danger of a military stalemate between pro-Gaddafi forces and rebels, William Hague said there was no future for Libya under its current leadership.Asked on the Andrew Marr show on BBC1 about the danger of a military stalemate between pro-Gaddafi forces and rebels, William Hague said there was no future for Libya under its current leadership.
"Let's be clear, if the Libyan regime tries to hang on in this situation, they are internationally isolated, they can't sell any oil", he said."Let's be clear, if the Libyan regime tries to hang on in this situation, they are internationally isolated, they can't sell any oil", he said.
"There is no future for Libya on that basis, and so I think even the prospect of stalemate should encourage people in Tripoli to think 'Well, Col Gaddafi has now got to go'.""There is no future for Libya on that basis, and so I think even the prospect of stalemate should encourage people in Tripoli to think 'Well, Col Gaddafi has now got to go'."
'No large-scale ground force''No large-scale ground force'
Mr Hague denied a newspaper report that 600 Royal Marines were being prepared to go to Libya. He said those forces were, in fact, preparing for an exercise elsewhere.Mr Hague denied a newspaper report that 600 Royal Marines were being prepared to go to Libya. He said those forces were, in fact, preparing for an exercise elsewhere.
Mr Hague added that it was "quite clear" there will be "no large-scale ground force placed in Libya".Mr Hague added that it was "quite clear" there will be "no large-scale ground force placed in Libya".
He said that small groups of special forces could be used, as had been done previously to rescue British nationals stranded in the desert a few weeks ago.He said that small groups of special forces could be used, as had been done previously to rescue British nationals stranded in the desert a few weeks ago.
The former Democratic US presidential candidate and Congressman Dennis Kucinich told Andrew Marr that the situation in Libya would become either a "stalemate or a bloodbath".The former Democratic US presidential candidate and Congressman Dennis Kucinich told Andrew Marr that the situation in Libya would become either a "stalemate or a bloodbath".
He claimed the US had exceeded the mandate provided by the United Nations "by not just going after Col Gaddafi's troops but providing cover for the rebels".He claimed the US had exceeded the mandate provided by the United Nations "by not just going after Col Gaddafi's troops but providing cover for the rebels".
But the foreign secretary insisted the UN resolution was being followed "very closely".But the foreign secretary insisted the UN resolution was being followed "very closely".
He said neither the UK nor its allies had any plans to arm rebel groups, but he did not rule it out and said there was "a little bit of ambiguity in the UN resolutions" on the arms embargo.He said neither the UK nor its allies had any plans to arm rebel groups, but he did not rule it out and said there was "a little bit of ambiguity in the UN resolutions" on the arms embargo.
"We are clear they apply to the whole of Libya but they also seem to give some scope, in certain circumstances, to help people to be able to defend themselves"."We are clear they apply to the whole of Libya but they also seem to give some scope, in certain circumstances, to help people to be able to defend themselves".
But he insisted the discussion was "a bit academic".But he insisted the discussion was "a bit academic".
Meanwhile, the former Libyan foreign minister, Moussa Koussa, is continuing to be questioned by intelligence and diplomatic officials in the UK.Meanwhile, the former Libyan foreign minister, Moussa Koussa, is continuing to be questioned by intelligence and diplomatic officials in the UK.
He arrived on Wednesday saying he had fled from Col Gaddafi's regime, as he was no longer willing to represent it.He arrived on Wednesday saying he had fled from Col Gaddafi's regime, as he was no longer willing to represent it.
Mr Hague said Mr Koussa was not under arrest, but that he would not be offered any sort of immunity.Mr Hague said Mr Koussa was not under arrest, but that he would not be offered any sort of immunity.
"There will be no immunity, he hasn't asked for that, there isn't a deal", he said."There will be no immunity, he hasn't asked for that, there isn't a deal", he said.
"He chose to come to the United Kingdom of his own free will. That is a good thing that he has left this despotic, murderous regime, because it weakens that regime.""He chose to come to the United Kingdom of his own free will. That is a good thing that he has left this despotic, murderous regime, because it weakens that regime."
Scottish police and prosecutors want to talk to Mr Koussa about the 1988 Lockerbie bombing in which 270 people died, and they will meet Foreign Office officials on Monday for talks.Scottish police and prosecutors want to talk to Mr Koussa about the 1988 Lockerbie bombing in which 270 people died, and they will meet Foreign Office officials on Monday for talks.
In the 1980s he was a leading member of the Libyan Bureau for External Security (the Mathaba) which has been linked to the Lockerbie attack.In the 1980s he was a leading member of the Libyan Bureau for External Security (the Mathaba) which has been linked to the Lockerbie attack.
Mr Hague said: "It's a good thing we're able to discuss with him the situation in Libya and the Middle East with, of course, all his experience of it."Mr Hague said: "It's a good thing we're able to discuss with him the situation in Libya and the Middle East with, of course, all his experience of it."
"The Crown Office in Scotland want to talk to him about what has happened in the past, such as Lockerbie," he added. "That is not a bad thing either. we want more information about past events.""The Crown Office in Scotland want to talk to him about what has happened in the past, such as Lockerbie," he added. "That is not a bad thing either. we want more information about past events."
The online poll of 2,011 respondents was conducted by ICM on 30-31 March for Broadcasting House on BBC Radio 4.The online poll of 2,011 respondents was conducted by ICM on 30-31 March for Broadcasting House on BBC Radio 4.
Some 38% of people thought the UK and its allies were right to carry out air strikes, while 35% said it was the wrong decision.Some 38% of people thought the UK and its allies were right to carry out air strikes, while 35% said it was the wrong decision.
A government spokesman said: "The decision on British military involvement in Libya was taken by the entire Cabinet, in consultation with the US, France, Arab states and other countries, and with UN backing. It has Parliament's strong support.A government spokesman said: "The decision on British military involvement in Libya was taken by the entire Cabinet, in consultation with the US, France, Arab states and other countries, and with UN backing. It has Parliament's strong support.
"The action is being undertaken to protect the civilian population in Libya. It is necessary, legal and right.""The action is being undertaken to protect the civilian population in Libya. It is necessary, legal and right."
These figures contrast with a similar poll about the Iraq war in 2003, which suggested 53% backed military intervention.These figures contrast with a similar poll about the Iraq war in 2003, which suggested 53% backed military intervention.
In Iraq, the post-invasion bloodshed caused a dramatic drop in popularity for the action.In Iraq, the post-invasion bloodshed caused a dramatic drop in popularity for the action.
Analysts say support for the Libya action will depend on if and when leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi goes, the number of civilian casualties, and whether there are any British military deaths.Analysts say support for the Libya action will depend on if and when leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi goes, the number of civilian casualties, and whether there are any British military deaths.


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Quote - Of 2,000 people asked, 65% said the UK's involvement in Libya "will last for some time", while just 14% chose the option "will be over pretty quickly", and 20% did not know.This does not add up, what did the other 1% think??Quote - Of 2,000 people asked, 65% said the UK's involvement in Libya "will last for some time", while just 14% chose the option "will be over pretty quickly", and 20% did not know.This does not add up, what did the other 1% think??
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    • I see this calls for an expression of views not a discussion. Can't have that can we? My view is that the UK and other western countries should pull out immediately. My view is also that the reasons for austerity in the UK have been exposed as a sham. That is my view.I see this calls for an expression of views not a discussion. Can't have that can we? My view is that the UK and other western countries should pull out immediately. My view is also that the reasons for austerity in the UK have been exposed as a sham. That is my view.
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    • If the West had not intervened there would have been just as much condemnation for not doing anything.If the West had not intervened there would have been just as much condemnation for not doing anything.
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    • Well at least we seem to be told the truth about our involvement this time,not like the start of the Iraq and Afghan engagements. It is obvious that the young vibrant Arab population has tried of old men dictators,so good luck to them,I for one hope they achieve their freedom,THEIR freedom,NOT one dictated by us in the west.We are right to help them to achieve this.Well at least we seem to be told the truth about our involvement this time,not like the start of the Iraq and Afghan engagements. It is obvious that the young vibrant Arab population has tried of old men dictators,so good luck to them,I for one hope they achieve their freedom,THEIR freedom,NOT one dictated by us in the west.We are right to help them to achieve this.
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