France,Britain want strikes if Gaddafi bombs civilians

But he and British Prime Minister David Cameron were “ready,on condition that the UN wishes,that the Arab League accepts and (that) the Libyan opposition which we hope to see recognised,agrees,for targeted actions if Mr Gaddafi uses chemical weapons or air power against peaceful citizens”.

Sarkozy also called on his European partners to follow France’s lead and officially recognise the opposition against Gaddafi as the hard-pressed rebels in the east tried to counter a major offensive troops that had driven them back.

France yesterday moved to recognise the rebels as the country’s rightful representatives,sparking surprise among some of its European partners,including Germany,amid fears of getting dragged into a bloody civil war.

Combined with the possibility of military action,the summit is likely to prove contentious as leaders try to map out some common ground.

The conflict in Libya is destabilising the whole North African and Middle East region where popular unrest against long-established regimes has already ousted leaders in Egypt and Tunisia so far this year.