Britain tables Libya no-fly bid

Britain sought to keep up the pressure for a no-fly zone over Libya tonight by tabling a draft resolution at the UN Security Council.

David Cameron authorised formal proposal of the text – which contains a “menu” of options for restraining Muammar Gaddafi’s regime – despite deep splits in the international community.

The UK and France have been pushing for military intervention to stop the dictator using his air power to bombard towns held by opposition rebels.

But a communique issued by G8 foreign ministers earlier today made no mention of a no-fly zone.

Russia and China are thought to be opposing the move, while the US and Germany have also voiced doubts.

In a bold attempt to regain momentum, Downing Street indicated that Britain and Lebanon were jointly tabling a draft resolution to the 15-member UN security council.

Alongside a no-fly zone, the text suggests stronger enforcement of the arms embargo, restrictions on Libyan commercial flights landing in other countries, and more travel bans and asset freezing against those linked to the Gaddafi regime.

It is understood that a range of options was included partly because a simple no-fly zone resolution could have been quickly rejected.

“We recognise there is extremely difficult negotiation ahead,” a Number 10 source said. “We are going into this with our eyes open.”

Mr Cameron was convinced a resolution had to be introduced at this stage to move the debate forward, and believed it was not in Britain’s interests for Gaddafi to be left in charge of a “pariah state” on Europe’s doorstep.

Substantive negotiations on the draft resolution are not expected to begin until tomorrow.