International community at “point of decision" about Libya

Reports have emerged that rebel forces within Libya have re-taken the oil town of Brega, capturing military troops. Hours earlier the rebels were driven out of the town by Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi's supporters.

Speaking about the situation in Libya, Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague has said that the international community is close to reaching a “point of decision" on military intervention to protect the Libyan population from Qadhafi'S aerial bombardment.

Following Arab League's backing of imposition of a military no-fly zone, Hague said that the international community has a responsibility to consider the rebels' requests for help. He also said that the international community should consider arming the rebels in order to help them combat Qadhafi's loyalists.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Hague said: "We are now reaching a point of decision, very clearly, on what happens next…Clearly a no-fly zone is one of the leading propositions. It isn't the answer to everything but it has been called for by the Arab League and is something which the international community must now consider."

Hague added that all arms exports to Libya, including to the rebels, are subject to a UN embargo, but noted: "I wouldn't exclude various possibilities on this score…Again, this is the kind of subject which has to be discussed with our international partners."

Sources: BBC News, Sky News, The Guardian, AP

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