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By Tony Grew - 27th April 2011
The defence secretary has said that the UK's operations in Libya are applying "psychological pressure" to the Gaddafi regime.
Giving evidence to the defence select committee this afternoon, Liam Fox said those around Gaddafi must be made to realise that "there is no future".
Fox denied mission creep and said UN resolution 1973 allows the targeting of "command and control assets", which includes Gaddafi's heavily-defended compound.
He said the aim is to reduce the regime's ability to wage war on its own people, not regime change.
However, Fox told the committee that he is taking sides in the conflict - the side of civilians being attacked by their own government.
Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP, Lagan Valley) asked if troops could be deployed on humanitarian grounds in Libya. Fox said he has no intention of deploying British troops to Libya.
However, 10 army officers will be sent as "mentors" to the rebels, with a remit of helping them organise their logistics and communications.
Bob Stewart (Con, Beckenham) said that "worrying development" represented "a huge strategic leap".
He asked if the UN was consulted.
Fox said he was acting "entirely within" the UN resolution and other security council members were informed but not consulted.
Committee chair James Arbuthot said resolution 1973 does not explicitly state that the Libyan people have the right to choose their own government.
Fox replied that such a right is "self-evident" and a new resolution is not needed.
Thomas Docherty (Lab, Dunfermline and West Fife) asked if Fox regrets the decision to give up carrier-based capability.
The defence secretary said Tornado planes have much greater flexibility and a longer range than Harriers.
Docherty asked if British Tornado aircraft are flying from bases in Norfolk on Libya missions.
He was told by Peter Watkins, MoD director of operational policy, that some Tornados were flying from Norfolk early in the campaign but they are now all based in Italy.
Fox rejected a suggestion that the strategic defence and security review should be re-opened on the grounds that there has been no change in the government's financial situation.
He said those that want to revisit the SDSR should say what taxes they would raise to pay for increased defence spending.
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