PM David Cameron insisted Tuesday that Britain could continue its Libya operations for “as long as is necessary”, and expressed irritation at warnings from the military that it is overstretched.
In a leaked briefing paper, Air Chief Marshal Simon Bryant, the deputy head of the Royal Air Force (RAF), warned its ability to carry out future missions would be under threat if Britain’s involvement in Libya extended past the summer.
Last week First Sea Lord Admiral Mark Stanhope, the head of the Royal Navy, also warned that the armed forces, slimmed down by budget cuts, would have to make tough choices if the Libyan campaign lasts more than six months.
At a press conference Tuesday, Cameron showed his impatience with the remarks, saying: “There are moments where I wake up and read the newspapers and think, ‘Look, tell you what, you do the fighting and I’ll do the talking.”
