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2 March 2011
Last updated at 08:24 ET
David Cameron has insisted the UK is right to be looking at plans for a no-fly zone over Libya.
He first raised the idea on Monday when he said he had asked military chiefs to work on plans for a no-fly zone.
But Labour's Ed Miliband told him a number of foreign governments had since "distanced themselves" from the idea.
Mr Cameron also told MPs the UK had launched an operation to airlift "several thousand" refugees from the Libyan-Tunisian border.
The government says it expects to airlift about 6,000 Egyptians stranded on the border, providing three aircraft which would fly between Tunisia and Cairo. The first two planes will leave the UK on Wednesday - as part of a wider operation involving other countries following a request from the UN.
Mr Cameron told MPs: "I think it is vital to do this, these people shouldn't be kept in transit camps if it is possible to take them back to their home and I am glad that Britain can play such an important part in doing that."
The prime minister said it was important "to make sure this emergency doesn't turn into a crisis" and Department for International Development teams had been sent to the borders.
The possibility of a no-fly zone was first raised in the Commons on Monday by Mr Cameron.
'No unanimity' It has been suggested as a way of protecting Libyan protesters amid fears leader Col Muammar Gaddafi may use air force against them.
Mr Cameron told MPs on Monday: "We do not in any way rule out the use of military assets, we must not tolerate this regime using military force against its own people. In that context I have asked the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff to work with our allies on plans for a military no-fly zone."
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
He acknowledged that there would be some difficulties enforcing it and said the UK would comply with international law - but it was important to start planning in case Col Gaddafi took "further appalling steps to oppress his people".
But US Defence Secretary Robert Gates seemed cool on the idea of a no-fly zone when asked about the issue this week: "I would note that the UN Security Council resolution provides no authorisation for the use of armed force.
"There is no unanimity within Nato for the use of armed force. And the kinds of options that have been talked about in the press and elsewhere also have their own consequences and second - and third- order effects, so they need to be considered very carefully."
In the Commons on Wednesday, Labour leader Mr Miliband said: "On Monday you floated the idea of a no-fly zone; on Tuesday however, a number of foreign governments distanced themselves from the idea.
"Can you clarify where that proposal now stands?"
Mr Cameron replied: "I do think it is the job of leaders in the Western world in particular to prepare for all eventualities and all the things that might happen, particularly if Colonel Gaddafi unleashes more things on his own people.
"On that ground, yes, I think we should and we are looking at plans for a no-fly zone."
He said he was "heartened" by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments that a no-fly zone was "an option that we are actively considering" and said Nato's North Atlantic Council was discussing the issue.
Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond told the BBC Two's Daily Politics the international mood could change "very quickly if the Gaddafi regime started committing atrocities from the air against its own people".
He added: "We don't want to be in the position where we have to start the contingency planning... from scratch in those circumstances."
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He first raised the idea on Monday when he said he had asked military chiefs to work on plans for a no-fly zone.
But Labour's Ed Miliband told him a number of foreign governments had since "distanced themselves" from the idea.
Mr Cameron also told MPs the UK had launched an operation to airlift "several thousand" refugees from the Libyan-Tunisian border.
The government says it expects to airlift about 6,000 Egyptians stranded on the border, providing three aircraft which would fly between Tunisia and Cairo. The first two planes will leave the UK on Wednesday - as part of a wider operation involving other countries following a request from the UN.
Mr Cameron told MPs: "I think it is vital to do this, these people shouldn't be kept in transit camps if it is possible to take them back to their home and I am glad that Britain can play such an important part in doing that."
The prime minister said it was important "to make sure this emergency doesn't turn into a crisis" and Department for International Development teams had been sent to the borders.
The possibility of a no-fly zone was first raised in the Commons on Monday by Mr Cameron.
'No unanimity' It has been suggested as a way of protecting Libyan protesters amid fears leader Col Muammar Gaddafi may use air force against them.
Mr Cameron told MPs on Monday: "We do not in any way rule out the use of military assets, we must not tolerate this regime using military force against its own people. In that context I have asked the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff to work with our allies on plans for a military no-fly zone."
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
I think we should and we are looking at plans for a no-fly zone”
End Quote
David Cameron
He acknowledged that there would be some difficulties enforcing it and said the UK would comply with international law - but it was important to start planning in case Col Gaddafi took "further appalling steps to oppress his people".
But US Defence Secretary Robert Gates seemed cool on the idea of a no-fly zone when asked about the issue this week: "I would note that the UN Security Council resolution provides no authorisation for the use of armed force.
"There is no unanimity within Nato for the use of armed force. And the kinds of options that have been talked about in the press and elsewhere also have their own consequences and second - and third- order effects, so they need to be considered very carefully."
In the Commons on Wednesday, Labour leader Mr Miliband said: "On Monday you floated the idea of a no-fly zone; on Tuesday however, a number of foreign governments distanced themselves from the idea.
"Can you clarify where that proposal now stands?"
Mr Cameron replied: "I do think it is the job of leaders in the Western world in particular to prepare for all eventualities and all the things that might happen, particularly if Colonel Gaddafi unleashes more things on his own people.
"On that ground, yes, I think we should and we are looking at plans for a no-fly zone."
He said he was "heartened" by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's comments that a no-fly zone was "an option that we are actively considering" and said Nato's North Atlantic Council was discussing the issue.
Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond told the BBC Two's Daily Politics the international mood could change "very quickly if the Gaddafi regime started committing atrocities from the air against its own people".
He added: "We don't want to be in the position where we have to start the contingency planning... from scratch in those circumstances."
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