Britain Expels Libyan Diplomats

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Britain has expelled five Libyan diplomats loyal to the Libyan leader, Muammar Al Qathafi because of their intimidation of opposition supporters and their potential threat to the U.K.'s national security.

Hague told the House of Commons he had ordered the officials - including the country's military attache - to leave following concerns about their actions in Britain. "The government also judged that, were these individuals to remain in Britain, they could pose a threat to our security," Hague said Wednesday.

According to British officials the Libyan diplomats were regarded as the leading Al Qathafi supporters at the London embassy, and had been involved in attempts to harass supporters of the Libyan opposition in Britain. Hague also confirmed that ahead of similar meetings being held by U.S. and French officials, British diplomats have held talks in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi with opposition figures in recent days.

"The purpose of the mission was to meet key Libyan opposition groups in eastern Libya, including the Interim Transitional National Council and its military council, to gain a greater insight into political and security situation," he said.

Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking ahead of Hague's statement, confirmed Britain believes there is a legal loophole to allow nations to supply weapons to Libya's rebels but stressed the U.K. has not decided whether it will offer assistance to the rebels. He said that his legal advice was clear that, under the U.N. Security Council resolution, weapons could be handed to opposition fighters in some limited circumstances.

"We do not rule it out, but we have not taken any decision," on whether to supply equipment, he told the House of Commons, he said.