John Baron MP: Foreign Secretary does not deny Libya could last years

MP suggests drift in timeframe and handling of Musa Kusa indicates desperation

Yesterday afternoon in the House of Commons, during a Statement on Africa and the Middle East from the Foreign Secretary John Baron MP pressed the Rt. Hon. William Hague MP about the drift that was apparent in the expected length of our commitment. The exchange can be found at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110404/debtext/110404-0001.htm#1104043000700 .

John said:

“When we first intervened in Libya, the length of our commitment was talked of in briefings in terms of weeks; now it is months. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that if there is a stalemate on the ground without a ceasefire, we could be talking years?

The Foreign Secretary said in response that he had never referred to a time limit and that it was important to carry through UN Resolution 1973 – however long that took.

John said afterwards:

“Early briefings were indicating timelines which have since lengthened. One senses disappointment that regime change – the real reason we intervened – has not yet happened. Our lenient handling of Musa Kusa and talk of arming the rebels in my view indicates desperation.”