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| Libya Apache deployment approved by David Cameron | Libya Apache deployment approved by David Cameron |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The UK is sending four Apache attack helicopters to the mission in Libya, after approval by the prime minister. | The UK is sending four Apache attack helicopters to the mission in Libya, after approval by the prime minister. |
| They will allow for swifter attacks on smaller targets in urban areas. | They will allow for swifter attacks on smaller targets in urban areas. |
| There had been speculation about the move after France said it would be deploying French Tiger helicopters. | There had been speculation about the move after France said it would be deploying French Tiger helicopters. |
| The final decision on the deployment rested with David Cameron, who had requested more information about possible risks while he was en route to the G8 Summit in France. | The final decision on the deployment rested with David Cameron, who had requested more information about possible risks while he was en route to the G8 Summit in France. |
| The helicopters and their pilots are normally based at the Army's Wattisham airfield, in Suffolk, but are currently on exercise in the Mediterranean. | The helicopters and their pilots are normally based at the Army's Wattisham airfield, in Suffolk, but are currently on exercise in the Mediterranean. |
| Their deployment means there will be less chance of civilian casualties in operations that are relying on the use of jets alone, said the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson. | Their deployment means there will be less chance of civilian casualties in operations that are relying on the use of jets alone, said the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson. |
| But he added that the risk was that the Apaches could be targeted themselves as Libyan forces loyal to Col Gaddafi have access to thousands of surface-to-air missiles. | But he added that the risk was that the Apaches could be targeted themselves as Libyan forces loyal to Col Gaddafi have access to thousands of surface-to-air missiles. |
| Their deployment was discussed at a meeting of the UK's National Security Council at Downing Street earlier on Thursday. | |
| Mr Cameron has talked about "turning up the pressure" on Col Gaddafi but the Apache helicopters are expected to go into operation "within days" rather than overnight. | Mr Cameron has talked about "turning up the pressure" on Col Gaddafi but the Apache helicopters are expected to go into operation "within days" rather than overnight. |
| Downing Street says Col Gaddafi is "on the run" and is moving between hospitals in the Tripoli area as Nato strikes take their toll. | |
| Officials believe the regime might be beginning to "fracture" and hope the deployment of the Apaches can help deliver the final blow in the mission. | |
| It is two months since UN Security Council Resolution 1973 authorised air strikes to protect Libyan civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi. | It is two months since UN Security Council Resolution 1973 authorised air strikes to protect Libyan civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi. |
| The UN vote followed the violent suppression of protests against Col Gaddafi's regime and military strikes against Col Gaddafi's forces in support of the rebels began on 19 March. | The UN vote followed the violent suppression of protests against Col Gaddafi's regime and military strikes against Col Gaddafi's forces in support of the rebels began on 19 March. |