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21 August 2011
Last updated at 05:18 ET
A small number of Britons who have remained in Libya's capital, Tripoli, are being evacuated on a ship to Malta, the Foreign Office says.
It comes as the uprising against Col Gaddafi enters a new phase, with gun battles erupting in Tripoli.
The Foreign Office said it had been advising against all travel to Libya for several months.
Meanwhile, a British Tornado aircraft has taken action against a tank said to be heading to attack Libyan civilians.
In February, the government evacuated hundreds of Britons on specially chartered flights and HMS Cumberland.
The British embassy in Tripoli had been empty since staff were evacuated earlier in the year.
Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt told the BBC: "We are aware of foreign nationals being there, including some British nationals who are leaving this morning... They're being protected through our arrangement with the Hungarian embassy.
"The position of civilians, both foreign nationals and Libyan civilians, has been well taken into account by forces over the last few months and the National Transitional Council have clear plans for how to deal with the situation now."
Mr Burt said eight or nine British nationals would be on the Maltese ship.
He added: "Our advice to people in Tripoli has been consistent over a lengthy period of time, obviously to take all available opportunities to leave.
"Most of those who are still there have had reasons to stay embedded, many will have had relatives or relations, and have been content to stay in Tripoli."
'Increasing pressure' A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said British nationals who had registered as remaining in Libya were kept informed of "exit options" as they arose.
Mr Burt said while there was no question of sending troops to Tripoli, Britain was still playing a crucial role in enforcing the UN resolution as part of the international coalition.
"It's clear that in order to fulfil that resolution, which is the mission of the coalition, that work is going on and what is happening on the ground in Tripoli plainly is increasing the pressure on the regime forces and we would all want the regime to capitulate as quickly as possible," he said.
He added attempts by United Nations envoys to open negotiations with Col Gaddafi had not been taken up.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said that with Col Gaddafi's position apparently weakened, post-conflict planning arrangements must be fully prepared.
"Tragically, in many circumstances, after a conflict, a country slips back into conflict, unless the right steps are taken at an early stage," he said.
"There's a heavy responsibility on the British government, other members of the international coalition, along with the National Transitional Council..."
Overnight, explosions and gunfire were heard in several areas of Tripoli. A rebel official said the uprising had begun in the city as their forces push towards it on three fronts.
But Col Gaddafi says attackers have been "eliminated" as explosions and gunfire are heard overnight in the capital, Tripoli - the ultimate target for advancing rebels.
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It comes as the uprising against Col Gaddafi enters a new phase, with gun battles erupting in Tripoli.
The Foreign Office said it had been advising against all travel to Libya for several months.
Meanwhile, a British Tornado aircraft has taken action against a tank said to be heading to attack Libyan civilians.
In February, the government evacuated hundreds of Britons on specially chartered flights and HMS Cumberland.
The British embassy in Tripoli had been empty since staff were evacuated earlier in the year.
Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt told the BBC: "We are aware of foreign nationals being there, including some British nationals who are leaving this morning... They're being protected through our arrangement with the Hungarian embassy.
"The position of civilians, both foreign nationals and Libyan civilians, has been well taken into account by forces over the last few months and the National Transitional Council have clear plans for how to deal with the situation now."
Mr Burt said eight or nine British nationals would be on the Maltese ship.
He added: "Our advice to people in Tripoli has been consistent over a lengthy period of time, obviously to take all available opportunities to leave.
"Most of those who are still there have had reasons to stay embedded, many will have had relatives or relations, and have been content to stay in Tripoli."
'Increasing pressure' A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said British nationals who had registered as remaining in Libya were kept informed of "exit options" as they arose.
Mr Burt said while there was no question of sending troops to Tripoli, Britain was still playing a crucial role in enforcing the UN resolution as part of the international coalition.
"It's clear that in order to fulfil that resolution, which is the mission of the coalition, that work is going on and what is happening on the ground in Tripoli plainly is increasing the pressure on the regime forces and we would all want the regime to capitulate as quickly as possible," he said.
He added attempts by United Nations envoys to open negotiations with Col Gaddafi had not been taken up.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said that with Col Gaddafi's position apparently weakened, post-conflict planning arrangements must be fully prepared.
"Tragically, in many circumstances, after a conflict, a country slips back into conflict, unless the right steps are taken at an early stage," he said.
"There's a heavy responsibility on the British government, other members of the international coalition, along with the National Transitional Council..."
Overnight, explosions and gunfire were heard in several areas of Tripoli. A rebel official said the uprising had begun in the city as their forces push towards it on three fronts.
But Col Gaddafi says attackers have been "eliminated" as explosions and gunfire are heard overnight in the capital, Tripoli - the ultimate target for advancing rebels.
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