Coalition Countries Indicate Arming Libyan Rebels

Coalition officials are now suggesting they may help arm the Libyan rebels.

As our London correspondent Tu Yun reports, the message has been delivered following a conference in London about Libya.

Though a United Nations arms embargo prohibits weapon supplies to any side in Libya, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton says the latest UN resolution has loosened those restrictions.

"It's our interpretation that (resolution) 1973 amended or overrode the absolute prohibition of arms to anyone in Libya so that there could be legitimate transfer of arms if a country were to choose to do that. We have not made that decision at this time."

Clinton's comment comes after officials with the opppositin Libyan Transitional National Council appealed in London for weapons.

British officials have maintained that it would be illegal to arm any side in Libya. But Foreign Secretary William Hague is now suggesting that London may follow Washington's lead in interpreting the UN resolutions the same way.

"This subject has been raised by the interim transitional national council. But it is not part of any agreement today. The United Kingdom takes into account the UN Security Council resolutions on this. Those resolutions in our view apply to the whole of Libya, although it is consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1973 to give people aid in order to defend themselves in particular circumstances."

At the one-day meeting in London, coalition countries have also pledged to continue the military action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces. Participants have also agreed to set up, what they call, the Libya Contact Group to oversee and direct the multinational action.

Officials from over 40 countries and international organizations have taken part in the meeting.

Tu Yun, CRI news, London.