document: William Hague statement : Diplomats expelled from Libyan embassy in London The Government has expelled five diplomats from the Libyan embassy in London because they '' `` could pose a threat '' '' to national security . The move was revealed by William Hague in another emergency statement on the military action to the Commons this afternoon . The Foreign Secretary told MPs the five included the military attache as he updated the House on yesterday 's summit in the capital . His statement came after David Cameron said during PMQs that Britain had not ruled out providing arms to rebels in the country . British warplanes have now flown more than 160 missions over Libya as they police the no-fly zone enforced against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi . More than 350 planes from 15 nations have been committed to the effort , with vessels from 10 countries supporting the arms embargo . Mr Hague said : '' `` The situation on the ground remains fluid . Regime forces have intensified their attacks , driving back opposition forces from ground they had taken in recent days . '' `` Misrata also came under heavy attack yesterday , with further loss of civilian life , including children , from mortars , sniper fire and attacks on all sides from regime tanks and personnel carriers . '' `` One obstacle to humanitarian support for the people of Misrata has been regime vessels trying to blockade the port . These vessels were attacked by coalition aircraft yesterday . Four of them were sunk and one vessel was beached . '' '' It was confirmed that a British diplomatic mission , headed by UK ambassador to Italy Christopher Prentice , visited Benghazi on Monday and Tuesday to meet opposition groups including the INC and its military council . Mr Hague said : '' `` The London conference showed that we are united in our aims - seeking a Libya that does not pose a threat to its own citizens or to the region and in working with the people of Libya as they choose their own way forward to a peaceful and stable future . '' `` And it demonstrated that clear international support for the people of Libya . With that support there is every prospect of focused and sustained assistance to the people of Libya as they seek to determine their own future . '' '' Earlier , Mr Cameron said the UN resolution permitting action in Libya '' `` would not necessarily rule out '' '' arming rebels fighting Gaddafi . The PM was asked by Labour leader Ed Miliband whether the terms of the resolution 1973 override the arms embargo imposed by the earlier resolution 1970 . He replied : '' `` I have said before in the House that we must do everything to comply with both the Security Council resolutions . '' `` The arms embargo applies to the whole of the territory of Libya , but at the same time UN Security Council resolution 1973 allows all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas . '' `` Our view is that this would not necessarily rule out the provision of assistance to those protecting civilians in certain circumstances . We do not rule it out but we have not taken the decision to do so . '' '' Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell warned that '' `` extreme caution '' '' must be taken on the issue . Mr Cameron said any decision to supply arms would have to be considered with '' `` due care '' '' as there were some '' `` very strong arguments '' '' on both sides . US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , in London for the summit , suggested yesterday that it would be legal to arm the rebels . '' `` It is our interpretation that 1973 amended or overrode the absolute prohibition on arms to anyone in Libya , so that there could be a legitimate transfer of arms if a country should choose to do that , '' '' she said . Meanwhile , Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini confirmed that Rome was in discreet contact with a number of countries over the possibility of Gaddafi going into exile overseas . '' `` I hope there will be a certain number of states ready to host him - maybe under the auspices of the African Union , which can have leverage over them , '' '' he said . He '' `` categorically '' '' ruled out Italy offering Gaddafi a bolt-hole . Mr Cameron 's official spokesman said : '' `` We have got a clear view , which is that he should go . We also think people should be held accountable for their actions . '' `` We are not engaged in looking for somewhere for him to go , but that does n't exclude others doing so . Our priority is that he should go as soon as possible . '' `` I do n't think exile necessarily precludes someone being held accountable by the ICC . '' '' Mr Hague , asked last night about the possibility of exile , said : '' `` That is up to him . There is no doubt that if Colonel Gaddafi left power - wherever he went - there would be a major change in the situation , and that is what most of the world , and probably most of the Libyan people , want to see . '' ''
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