Written question asked by David Winnick (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 June 2011. It was answered by Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 27 June 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Libya; and what his policy is on the continuation of military operations until the departure from Libya of Colonel Gaddafi.

Answer: It is clear that Gaddafi no longer has legitimacy and so he should heed the calls of the Libyan people and the international community to leave immediately. We recognise the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people and welcome their efforts to include all Libyans and to prepare for a political transition in which Libyans can decide on their own future.NATO's mandate is to protect civilians as outlined in UNSCR 1973. As the Prime Minister has made clear, action will continue under the United Nations Resolutions for as long as is necessary to protect the Libyan people from danger. We are steadily and deliberately reducing Gaddafi's ability to launch and sustain attacks on his own people. But his regime is still inflicting considerable harm on the civilian population.

Secondary information