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24 March 2011
Last updated at 09:21 ET
Nato should take control of coalition operations in Libya "as quickly as possible", William Hague has said.
The foreign secretary told MPs that UK planes had taken part in fresh action over the past 24 hours to "robustly" enforce the no-fly zone across Libya.
But he said pro-Gaddafi forces were continuing "appalling" acts of violence and the regime's claims of a ceasefire were an "utter sham".
The UK is part of a coalition enforcing a UN resolution to protect civilians.
'Compelling case' In an update on the current situation to Parliament, Mr Hague told MPs that UK, US and French attacks - which began on Saturday - had "comprehensively degraded" Libya's air defence infrastructure and that no Libyan military aircraft were flying.
"The case for this action remains utterly compelling," he told MPs.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
"Appalling violence against Libyan citizens continues to take place exposing the regime's claims to have ordered a ceasefire to be an utter sham."
He also said he hoped Nato would take strategic control of the operation - led by the US, France and UK, but backed by a wider coalition, including Arab nations - in the near future.
"These coalition operations are currently under US command, but we want them to transition to Nato command and control as quickly as possible."
Fierce fighting between government and opposition forces is continuing in cities across Libya.
Separately, Mr Hague urged all British citizens still in Yemen to leave without delay amid continuing unrest in the country.
Embassy staff had been withdrawn, Mr Hague said, leaving just a skeleton staff in the capital, ahead of demonstrations planned for Friday.
He also called on the Syrian government to show restraint following several deaths during clashes between protesters and security forces.
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The foreign secretary told MPs that UK planes had taken part in fresh action over the past 24 hours to "robustly" enforce the no-fly zone across Libya.
But he said pro-Gaddafi forces were continuing "appalling" acts of violence and the regime's claims of a ceasefire were an "utter sham".
The UK is part of a coalition enforcing a UN resolution to protect civilians.
'Compelling case' In an update on the current situation to Parliament, Mr Hague told MPs that UK, US and French attacks - which began on Saturday - had "comprehensively degraded" Libya's air defence infrastructure and that no Libyan military aircraft were flying.
"The case for this action remains utterly compelling," he told MPs.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
These coalition operations are currently under US command, but we want them to transition to Nato command and control as quickly as possible”
End Quote
William Hague
Foreign Secretary
"Appalling violence against Libyan citizens continues to take place exposing the regime's claims to have ordered a ceasefire to be an utter sham."
He also said he hoped Nato would take strategic control of the operation - led by the US, France and UK, but backed by a wider coalition, including Arab nations - in the near future.
"These coalition operations are currently under US command, but we want them to transition to Nato command and control as quickly as possible."
Fierce fighting between government and opposition forces is continuing in cities across Libya.
Separately, Mr Hague urged all British citizens still in Yemen to leave without delay amid continuing unrest in the country.
Embassy staff had been withdrawn, Mr Hague said, leaving just a skeleton staff in the capital, ahead of demonstrations planned for Friday.
He also called on the Syrian government to show restraint following several deaths during clashes between protesters and security forces.
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