However, diplomatic efforts may be sidelined, if reports by the Washington Post are confirmed with respect to US and NATO considering arming the Libyan opposition.

The newspaper reported on Saturday, citing unamed US and European officials, that the Obama admnistration believe the UN resolution that authorised international intervention in Libya has the „flexibility“ to allow such assistance.

According to newspaper, Gene Cretz, the recently withdrawn US ambassador to Libya, said administration officials were having „the full gamut“ of discussions on „potential assistance we might offer, both on the non-lethal and the lethal side“.