Mr Cameron said the summit would see more measures to put pressure on Col Gaddafi Saturday, 12 March 2011
Cameron hails EU Libya 'progress'
Mr Cameron said the summit would see more measures to put pressure on Col Gaddafi European leaders must show "political will" and unity in saying Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi must go, David Cameron has said in Brussels.
Arriving for an emergency EU summit, Mr Cameron said he expected it to step up measures to isolate the Gaddafi regime.
London and Paris are trying to build support for a UN resolution to authorise a no-fly zone in Libya.
Meanwhile forces loyal to Col Gaddafi are reported to have made gains against rebels in Zawiya and Ras Lanuf.
A special meeting of the European Council has been called in Brussels to discuss the crisis as pro-Gaddafi forces wrest back control of territory previously held by the opposition following a major military offensive.
The UK has accused the Gaddafi regime of "waging war against their own people", using aircraft and helicopters to mount attacks.
Arriving at the summit on Friday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I think it's important that the countries of Europe show political will, show ambition, show unity in being clear that Colonel Gaddafi must go and that his regime is illegitimate that what it is doing to his people is completely unacceptable.
"We are going to step up today, in the European Council, measures to isolate that regime and measures to put pressure on that regime and we should plan for every eventuality as I've been arguing now for around two weeks, this is absolutely vital work."
David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy“It is clear to us that the regime has lost any legitimacy it may have once had”
He also said it was the moment for Europe to show real ambition about the "democratic awakening" in North Africa - to offer new partnerships, open up markets and welcome greater democracy and freedoms: "This is a potentially good moment for our world and we should grab it, seize it and shape it."
London and Paris are trying to build support for a UN resolution to authorise a no-fly zone in Libya, which they say is an absolute prerequisite for such action, alongside the support of the international community - particularly the Arab world - and a "demonstrable" case for intervention.
"We support continued planning to be ready to provide support for all possible contingencies as the situation evolves," Mr Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy wrote in a letter to the president of the European Council. "This could include a no-fly zone or other options against air attacks."
President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy opened the meeting by saying EU leaders had to "take some urgent concrete decisions and to set the direction of our response".
The summit is considering a draft declaration insisting Col Gaddafi "relinquish power immediately" which says Libya should "rapidly embark on an orderly transition to democracy".
In a question-and-answer session with students ahead of the Liberal Democrat spring conference in Sheffi
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