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PM urges international action on Libya

Prime Minister David Cameron has called for the international community to come together and take the right steps on Libya.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The PM was speaking in the House of Commons ahead of a UN Security Council meeting in New York. The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution which includes a series of measures to increase pressure on the Qadhafi regime, including tougher sanctions and a no-fly zone. 

The PM said:

…after extensive discussion with Lebanon, France, the US and others, the UK tabled a new draft Security Council resolution in the UN. It includes a no-fly zone, banning all flights except humanitarian ones, an extension of the travel ban and the asset freeze and tougher enforcement of the arms embargo, particularly on the Libyan Government. Of course there are a wide range of views in the UN; I urge all to take the right steps so that we show some leadership on this issue and make sure that we can get rid of this regime.

Mr Cameron has been closely following developments in New York and has spoken to a series of Arab leaders to emphasise the importance of Arab involvement in implementing anything that the UN authorises.

Last night the Foreign Office summoned Libya’s ambassador to the UK Omar Jelban to a meeting to express “profound concern” at the regime’s attacks on civilians.

The permanent under secretary emphasised the UK’s profound concern about the Libyan regime’s ongoing attacks on civilians and stated that perpetrators of violence against civilians will be held to account.

Read more: Foreign Office Summons Libyan Ambassador

Published 17 March 2011