Pressure is increasing for Libyan leader Gaddafi, as members of the regime desert him and international organisations condemn him and cut their ties with Libya.

Interior Minister Abdel Fattah Younes al – Abidi, Gaddafi’s ‘number two man’ is among other officials who have stepped down to join the opposition.

The United Nations Security Council called for an end to the violence following an emergency meeting held last night, while the Arab League has suspended Libya.

Meanwhile the French president has called for Europe to impose sanctions and suspend all economic ties with Libya

Following a week of unrest, protesters are thought to have eastern Libya under their control.
At least 300 people have died in the uprising, although there have been reports of greater death tolls.

Rescue mission

European countries have been evacuating their citizens from Libya.

A rescue mission is underway for the stranded British nationals that were in the Arabic country when chaos broke out.

Since airlines have been cancelling their scheduled flights to Libya this week, charter planes and ships have been sent to Tripoli as part of a rescue effort, and are expected to return to the UK today.

The Foreign Office is in contact with about 300 Britons in the Tripoli area.

David Cameron. British Prime Minister claimed at a press conference in Qatar earlier today that the Government is doing “everything we can” to protect British nationals leave the country.

He commented: “We stand by to help in any way that we can, whether that is through ships, whether that is through chartering aeroplanes. The crisis centre at the Foreign Office is working round the clock to make sure we bring people home safely and that we deliver them back to our shores.”

UK Flight cancellations

The FCO is still advising against all but essential travel to Libya.

British Airways, which operates daily services to Tripoli from Heathrow, have cancelled their return flights today and tomorrow due to the Libyan crisis. Friday’s flights are under review. Customers are urged to check on ba.com for updates.

According to a BA spokesperson, affected customers will be able to claim a full refund or rebook their travel at a later date or use their ticket to another BA destination.

BMI, which also flies to Tripoli daily from Heathrow, has also cancelled today’s flights and said it would make a decision later about whether it would operate its Thursday Libya flight. Customers can check for updates on BMI.com