Italy sending military advisers to Libya

Italy has announced it is sending military instructors to train the rebels fighting in Libya.

Italian defence minister Ignazio La Russa said 10 instructors will be going.

He was speaking today after meeting his British counterpart, Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

France and Britain have already announced they will be sending military officers to Libya to help rebel forces organise and bolster the Nato air campaign that has failed to rout Muammar Gaddafi’s military.

Mr La Russa again ruled out any possibility Italy would send ground troops.