Troop deployment not imminent or likely in Libya
16 March 2016
A statement from the Defence Committee regarding troop deployment in Libya
Responding to concerns raised by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee about a potential troop deployment in Libya, the Defence Committee has sought a briefing from the Secretary of State for Defence. The Committee is satisfied that we are a very long way from the likelihood of any troop deployment to support an interim government in Tripoli.
The Secretary of State informed the Defence Committee that he was in discussions with allies on a whole range of options, but troop deployments would only be a possibility in the event of a stable government in Tripoli. Currently, the city is controlled by over 40 different militias.
Member's comment
A Member of the Committee, Richard Benyon MP, said:
"The Committee are satisfied that no deployment is imminent, or likely. If this should change, any decision by the British Government will be subject to the full scrutiny of the Defence Committee and Parliament."