William Hague: 'UK will not occupy Libya'

The foreign secretary has defended the Nato military operation in Libya after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that attacks on pro-Gaddafi forces amounted to intervention in a civil war, and were not backed by the UN resolution.

William Hague said the Nato led operation was "staying absolutely within the United Nations resolution" to protect Libyan civilians.

Mr Hague added that the UK is abiding by the UN resolution, which rules out occupation of Libya by any foreign force.