Britain will supply police officers in rebel-held eastern Libya with uniforms and body armor, and help establish a public radio station, officials said Thursday following talks with the head of the country's opposition.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and other ministers met in London with Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, head of the rebels’ National Transitional Council.
Cameron said he had invited Abdul-Jalil to open a permanent office in London to help cement contacts with Britain, though the U.K. has not followed France and Italy in recognizing the council as Libya’s legitimate government.
"These steps continue our very clear intention to work with the council to ensure Libya has a safe and stable future, free from the tyranny of the Gadhafi regime," Cameron said, following talks at his Downing Street residence.
Hague said Britain was also considering requests to supply more non-lethal equipment, after the U.K. sent the rebels radios and body armor. Military mentors have also traveled to Benghazi to help organize the rebels.
Hague said Moammar Gadhafi "continues to brutalize his own people," and repeated calls for him to stand down.
Jalil was also meeting with Treasury chief George Osborne, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell.
