LOC22:13
19:13 GMT
LONDON, July 4 (KUN) -- It could take "some considerable time" for Colonel
Muammar Gaddafi's regime to collapse in Libya, UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox
told MPs this evening.
With ministers acknowledging the "stress" being placed on the Royal Navy as
a result of the conflict, Dr Fox said the chances of opposition forces
reaching Tripoli and ousting Gaddafi were "unlikely in the near future".
But he said a number of scenarios had been planned for and "it could well
be" that the regime crumbled "over a short period of time".
At House of Commons question time Labour's former defence secretary Bob
Ainsworth called on the Government to speed-up plans for what happens if and
when Gaddafi is toppled.
He said: "Libya could go on for sometime yet, but equally the forces of the
uprising could be in Tripoli at any time."
Dr Fox told him: "There is a great deal of planning currently being
undertaken looking at a range of scenarios in this country through the
National Security Council, working across government departments and, of
course, a whole range of important discussions are happening with our allies."
He added: "It could well be that we see the collapse of the Libyan regime
over a short period of time but it also could take some considerable time yet.
"I'm afraid I think the chances of the opposition forces entering Tripoli
is unlikely in the near future."
Last month the head of the Royal Navy Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope questioned
the sustainability of current military operations, saying the Government would
have to make "challenging decisions" if the Libya mission lasted more than six
months.
In the Commons Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey insisted operations could
continue for "as long as is necessary".
He added: "That's not to say that sustaining operations won't put stress on
people and assets, but we are perfectly capable of sustaining this operation
and nobody should be in any doubt of our determination to do so."
Opposition Labour Shadow defence minister Kevan Jones said Admiral Stanhope
had also raised concerns in May about the challenge of finding "further
platforms" - ships - for Libya.
He said: "The First Sea Lord (commander of the Navy) told the Defence
Committee on May 11 that we would be challenged to find further platforms to
rotate through and to continue to maintain the overseas commitments that are
standard operating requirements.
"Will you tell the House exactly how the Royal Navy will sustain its
operations in Libya and what impact these operations are having on the Royal
Navy's ability to deliver what was set out in the SDSR (Strategic Defence and
Security Review)?"
Harvey said: "There's no denying that the pace of operations and the
longevity of operations in Libya does put a stress on the fleet but the Libyan
operation is a high priority and we will ensure that it has the necessary
resources.
"HMS Liverpool remains on task in the Mediterranean in support of the
Nato-led operations.
We have plans for her relief in due course, but I'm not going to say which
ship for operational security." (end)
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