Libya conflict: MPs raise doubts over arming Libyan rebels
Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UK is not ruling out providing arms to rebels in "certain circumstances" but no decision has yet been taken.
The idea has met with opposition in the House of Commons, where shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander questioned the legality and "advisability" of such a move.
The rebels are continuing to lose ground to forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi and are retreating from their former strongholds along the eastern coast of Libya.
Nick Robinson reports.