Britain may arm Libyan rebels

During an exchange in the British House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron said that his number one priority is to remove Moammar Gaddafi from power and that his government may arm the opposition in Libya, according to The Financial Times.

“If helping the opposition would somehow bring that about it is certainly something we should be considering,” he said. He also noted that he is “trying to establish contact with the opposition to find out what their intentions are”.

The Prime Minister said that plans for a no-fly zone above Libya are well on their way; plus he did not rule out a military invention.

“We do not in any way rule out the use of military assets,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, earlier today in Libya, Gaddafi’s military struck back at the opposition, including the use of fighter jets to bomb rebel bases.

Gaddafi’s forces reportedly attacked an oil refinery in central Libya and on cities in both eastern and western parts of the country, undermining confidence that the opposition was close to defeating Gaddafi.

However, opposition groups easily repulsed an assault by government troops in the western city of Zawiyah, just thirty miles from Tripoli. There were also reports of heavy fighting in the town of Mistrata.