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Allies disagree over arming Libyan rebels

Disagreement over arming the rebels battling Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi emerged on Wednesday with at least three of the countries enforcing the no-fly zone over the country opposing the idea.

Russia also criticised the proposal, amid dissent within NATO over the conduct of the whole Libyan operation.

Both France and the United States have raised the possibility of arming the rebels though critics have said such a move would go beyond the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which provides for the protection of civilians.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said on Tuesday that Paris was prepared to discuss with its allies the supply of military aid to the rebels, whose disorganised fighters are facing stiff opposition from Gaddafi's forces despite being aided by coalition air strikes.

Speaking at an international conference in London, Juppe conceded that that arming or training the rebels was not covered by two UN Security Council resolutions on Libya in recent weeks.

"This is not allowed by either Resolution 1973 or Resolution 1970. For the time being, France is sticking to the strict application of these resolutions," he said.

"Having said that, we are prepared to discuss this with our partners," he told reporters after the conference to map out Libya's future, which concluded that Gaddafi should step down.

British Prime Minister David Cameron refused on Wednesday to rule out arming the rebels.

Asked in parliament what Britain's policy was, given the existence of a UN arms embargo on Libya, Cameron replied: "We do not rule it out but we have not taken the decision to do so."

The British hosts of the meeting and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had both said the issue of arming the rebels was not discussed at the London talks.

23:36 | |

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