Allies ‘not seeking to kill Gaddafi’

A building in the dictator’s compound was hit on Monday in what the regime said was a failed attempt on the Libyan leader’s life and which Russian president Vladimir Putin said was part of an execution plan.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates, speaking after talks with Defence Secretary Liam Fox, said that the United Nations-backed coalition was “not targeting him (Gaddafi) specifically”.

But Dr Fox made clear that all regime command and control “mechanisms” were targets and that the strikes were a clear message to Gaddafi that he could not wage the campaign “at arm’s length”.

The United Nations Security Council approved the use of “all necessary measures” to protect civilians short of an occupation force in a very open-ended resolution.

David Cameron sparked concern about mission creep when he made a joint declaration with his US and French counterparts that the mission would continue until Gaddafi was gone.

Dr Fox raised fresh questions about targeting when he said those operating command facilities should “recognise the risks they would have if they were there during Nato strikes”.

Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy said the comments were “inflammatory” and demanded clarification as to whether it meant Gaddafi was being targeted for assassination.

Dr Fox said: “People ask have we taken a side? And the answer is yes, we have taken the side of the civilian population.

“That is what the United Nations Security Council resolution has asked us to do.”

For as long as the regime attacked civilians “we will continue to regard all their command and control mechanisms as legitimate targets”, he said.

Forces loyal to Gaddafi pulled out of the besieged rebel-held town of Misrata at the weekend, prompting Dr Fox to say the regime was “on the back foot”.

However, the port yesterday came under another sustained barrage of rockets and mortars which has killed dozens more as the conflict continues.

The head of the UK’s armed forces, General Sir David Richards, also took part in the US talks along with his opposite number Admiral Mike Mullen.

It was Admiral Mullen who warned at the weekend that the United Nations-backed action to end the brutal repression of the rebellion was “moving towards a stalemate”.

America has moved to a back-seat role in the action although within recent days it has deployed unmanned armed drones as part of the air strike capability.

Dr Fox played down the prospect of a Libya-style military intervention in Syria amid reports of the continuing use of violence ion the country.

He urged the regime in Damascus to “pause and reflect” about the consequences of its actions amid widespread criticism and the threat of sanctions.

More gunfire has been reported in the city of Daraa, where the uprising began and thousands of soldiers backed by tanks were said to have poured into the area on Tuesday.

Other crackdowns and arrest sweeps were reported on the outskirts of Damascus and the coastal town of Jableh.

Human rights groups estimate that around 350 people have died since the start of the unrest in March and Syrian human rights groups say 500 pro-democracy sympathisers have been detained.

Contingency plans have been drawn up to evacuate about 700 British nationals – who have been advised to leave the country unless they have a pressing need to stay.