THERE is “no appetite” in Libya to have UK forces on the ground, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said yesterday.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Hammond dismissed suggestions the British Government plans to send soldiers to the nation as its fledgling government of national accord (GNA) attempts to gain control. Last month fears were raised by senior members of the Foreign Affairs Committee that such a decision could be taken without parliamentary approval as ministers attempt to shore up Prime Minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj.
Yesterday Hammond, who has just returned from a brief visit to Tripoli, repeated denials of any such plans, but indicated that British warplanes and battleships could be deployed to counter Daesh in Libya.
Hammond also said the UK is willing to send troops to help train and support the fighters which will come to make up GNA forces, but no such request has yet been made.
Responding to questions, he said police and former military contractors could carry out some or all of the support work, while parliament would be consulted on any air strikes.
Hammond told MPs: “A number of honourable and right honourable members have speculated in recent days that the British Government might be on the cusp of committing British troops to Libya in a combat or combat support role.
“I am clear there is no appetite in Libya for foreign combat troops on the ground. We do not anticipate any requests from the GNA for ground combat forces to take on Daesh or any other armed groups and we have no plans to deploy troops in such a role.
“I will, of course, keep the House informed of any plans we develop in the future in response to requests from the Libyan Government. But the type of mission we currently envisage would be focused on providing training and technical support away from any frontline operations.”
When questioned on naval or air deployments by Labour MP Mike Gapes, Hammond said there is a “clear wariness” of overseas forces in Libyan territorial waters.
However, he went on: “I can’t rule out, and it would be wrong to rule out, any future request for air or naval support to a counter-Daesh operation. I can envisage Prime Minister Sarraj, if his Government is successful, being able to muster enough ground forces to mount an attack on the Daesh stronghold around Sirte.
“Sirte is a coastal port, of course, and it’s certainly the case that the Libyans will not be able to develop either naval or air assets in any reasonable period of time to support such an operation.
“Indeed, it is quite possible that from a military point of view they would seek assistance from outside. Prime Minister Sarraj would have to balance that military imperative with the political issues that would arise if he were to request foreign assistance.
“There has been no such request, no discussion of such a request, but if it comes we will consider it and if we think the UK should participate in such action we will come to the House and allow the House to express an opinion through a vote.”
The UK has committed £10 million to support the GNA during this financial year, while around £70 billion of Libyan state assets remain frozen.
Meanwhile, North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins said Libya had been “an unmitigated disaster” for David Cameron’s Government.
Hammond said UK intervention in 2011 to topple Gadaffi had “saved tens of thousands of lives”, adding: “It’s very easy to sit over there hurling stones.
“The world, I’m afraid, is not a neat and tidy place and we have to deal with the situations that present themselves.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here