5:12am UK, Sunday March 20, 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has sought to defend British military action in Libya, saying airstrikes against military targets were "necessary, legal and right".
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Both he and US president Barack Obama insisted the international coalition was acting to protect civilians after Tripoli failed to observe a ceasefire.
Mr Cameron, confirming that British forces were in action over the country, said: "They are part of an international coalition that has come together to enforce the will of the United Nations and to support the Libyan people.
"We have all seen the appalling brutality that Colonel Gaddafi has meted out against his own people.
"And far from introducing the ceasefire he spoke about, he has actually stepped up the attacks and the brutality that we can all see.
"So what we are doing is necessary, it is legal, and it is right.
"It is necessary because, with others, we should be trying to prevent him using his military against his own people.
"It is legal, because we have the backing of the United Nations Security Council and also of the Arab League and many others.
"And it is right because we believe we should not stand aside while this dictator murders his own people."
Mr Obama, speaking during a visit to Brazil, said: "The use of force is not our first choice or a choice I made lightly.
"But we can't stand idly by when a tyrant tells his people that there will be no
mercy."
Repeating his pledge that no US ground troops will be sent to Libya, Mr Obama said the "limited" use of force was "not an outcome the US or any of our partners sought".
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