UK asks Gaddafi loyalists to withdraw support of face war crimes trial

LONDON - Britain has warned senior Libyan regime officials to stop supporting Colonel Gaddafi or face trial along with the autocratic ruler for crimes against humanity.

British officials are personally contacting Gaddafi’s loyalists to turn against their leader, The Guardian reports.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has urged Britons, who are still in Tripoli, to board the last UK-sponsored chartered flight and leave the oil rich country as early as possible.

He said HMS Cumberland would be sent to Benghazi on Sunday to pick up the remaining Britons there, but added that those in the desert remained Britain’s biggest worry. He further said that all options were being considered, the report said.

The foreign Office has denied reports that the British embassy in Tripoli would be closed as early as this weekend.

“We will react to the situation as it unfolds on the ground. If it gets too dangerous for our people to be there, of course we will pull them out of there. But are we planning to close the embassy down? No,” a spokesman said.

The US has also taken steps against the Gaddafi regime by imposing unilateral sanctions with the intention of ‘protecting the assets belonging to the people of Libya.’ (ANI)