PM pledges to help stranded Libya Britons

David Cameron has vowed that the Government will do everything it can to evacuate hundreds of Britons still stranded in chaos-stricken Libya.

The Prime Minister promised more flights if necessary and said the Government is sending a second Royal Navy ship, HMS York, to the waters off the North African state.

About 50 Britons are still in the capital, Tripoli, and fears are growing for up to 170 others in remote desert locations.

Speaking at Number 10 after meetings of the National Security Council and Cobra emergency planning committee, Mr Cameron said: "We will do everything we can today and tomorrow to help those people and planning is under way to do just that.

"In the last 24 hours there have been six flights that have left Libya and that is good, and there will be more on the way if necessary ... HMS Cumberland has now come out of Benghazi, bringing many, many British citizens out of Benghazi and we have also helped citizens of 25 other countries ... I have also asked HMS York to go into the area and help out if necessary.

"But I would say that people do need to leave now and that is the message that I give very strongly to British citizens in Libya ... For those in the desert, we will do everything we can and we are active on that right now to help get you out."