Cameron and Obama: Gaddafi must go 'once and for all'

David Cameron: ''The Libyan people deserve to shape their own future''

David Cameron and Barack Obama have said Libya's Col Muammar Gaddafi must "relinquish power once and for all."

       In a telephone conversation on Monday night the UK and US leaders agreed the crisis had "reached a tipping point".
They also reaffirmed the need for a peaceful transition of power in the country, a White House statement said.
Rebel forces have taken control of large parts of Libya's capital Tripoli, but Mr Cameron warned there were still "difficult days ahead".
The prime minister and the US president also agreed on the importance of "avoiding civilian casualties" and establishing a "just and inclusive" system of democracy, said the White House.
Mr Cameron also discussed the situation with other leaders, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Downing Street said there was a "broad welcome" for the progress made by the rebel forces but added there was still a lot of work to do.

Downing Street spokesman

"The calls showed a strong international resolve that Gaddafi needs to go and that it is essential that Nato and its partners continue to play a vital role in protecting civilians and resisting the violence of Gaddafi's forces," said a spokesman.

The prime minister also discussed plans for the UN Security Council to help Libya's National Transitional Council with "diplomatic, legal and financial support" in the coming weeks and months.
Mr Cameron told reporters on Monday that Col Gaddafi's regime was "falling apart and in full retreat" and that the Libyan people were "closer to their dream of a better future".
He said the UK could be "proud" of the part it had played, but stressed the future of the country - and Col Gaddafi himself - was up to Libyans themselves.
The Ministry of Defence, however, has stressed that fighting is still going on in the Libyan capital and Nato operations - including those by UK forces on strategic targets controlled by the regime - are continuing.
 
'No complacency'

The prime minister committed British forces to conduct aerial and naval missions in Libya in March, enforcing the terms of a UN mandate to protect Libyan civilians from attacks.
Mr Cameron has insisted that Nato's air mission in Libya would continue as long as necessary.
He has also said that Libyan assets in the UK will soon be unfrozen to help with post-conflict reconstruction, and the UK would be offering help with medical supplies, food provision and communications and utilities services.

Mr Cameron also spoke by telephone to the leader of the National Transitional Council, Abdul Jalil.

A No 10 spokeswoman said Mr Jalil had confirmed that rebel fighters were in control of most of Tripoli, but there were still pockets of resistance throughout the country.
Meanwhile, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has insisted the UK's military involvement in the country would not be expanded.
"We do not see any circumstances in which British troops would be deployed on the ground in Libya," he told the BBC.
 
Post-conflict planning
Rebel forces met little resistance during a rapid advance on Sunday, but fierce fighting is taking place in parts of the capital.
However, Col Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam - who was thought to have been arrested - told the BBC early on Tuesday morning that the rebels had fallen into a "trap" and that his father was safe and well in Tripoli.
The BBC's political correspondent Ben Wright said there would be some satisfaction in Downing Street since Mr Cameron had taken a risk in being among the earliest and most vocal supporters of foreign intervention in Libya.
However, he said No 10 would be mindful of uncertainty over how events could develop and be aware that a lot of work would be needed to stabilise the country.
Labour leader Ed Miliband has welcomed developments in Libya, but also stressed the need to ensure a orderly transition "from popular revolt against Colonel Gaddafi to stable government without him".
"The best way for Libya to move forward is through a transition led and enforced by the Libyan people that learns the lessons of the past, including Iraq," he said in a statement on Monday.
"The priorities are public order, improved lives for the people of Libya and an inclusive, peaceful settlement led by the Libyan people."

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