DEVELOPMENTS IN LIBYA

That this House voices its concern regarding political developments in Libya and, in particular, the possibility that the UK may be drawn directly into armed conflict in that country; notes that a draft proposal has been circulated by the UK representative to other members of the UN Security Council proposing authorisation for an EU-led naval force to impose an arms blockade on the Libyan coast; further notes that while the UK has offered to put 1,000 British ground forces into Libya to conduct training for forces loyal to the new Government of National Accord, a substantial proportion of this force inevitably would have to be deployed to provide armed defence of the training unit and training facilities, opening the potential for direct fighting with Daesh and other local militias and creating a target for attack by extremists; believes that given the chaotic political situation in Libya, the lack of a single national army and the spread of Daesh in that country, any major British deployment by land, sea or air would inevitably lead to active military engagement; recalls that all recent proposals to go to war have been discussed and voted on in Parliament and calls on for this precedent not to be broken over Libya; and urges the Government to consult with Parliament before seeking to engage in any form of direct involvement in Libya.