Lybia - The government faces "difficult decisions" on deploying its military resources if it
wants to launch another mission on the same scale as the operation in Libya, MPs have
warned.

The defence committee says recent cuts raise questions over whether the success in aiding
the rebellion against Colonel Gaddafi was a "one-off".

 It also calls for clarity over the size of engagements the military can handle.

But the government said it was still able to "project power" abroad.

UK forces were part of Nato-led operations targeting Gaddafi regime positions in order to
protect Libyan civilians. This helped rebel forces to overthrow the dictator last September.

But the committee says this was before the full impact of the coalition's plans to cut defence
spending by 8% over four years, announced in October 2010, was felt.

These savings included scrapping Harrier jump jets, the Navy's flagship HMS Ark Royal
and Nimrod spy planes, as well as 42,000 Ministry of Defence and armed forces jobs.

The defence committee's report predicts "some difficult decisions on prioritisation if it
embarks on a future mission similar to the Libya operation now that the Strategic Defence and  Security (SDSR) is taking effect".

The MPs congratulate the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force for their combat and
evacuation roles during the conflict.

They add: "However, at times, the Royal Navy was not able to carry out important tasks
such as the Fleet Ready Escort and counter drugs operations owing to meeting the Libya
commitment.

 "Given the high levels of standing maritime commitments it is likely that this type of
risk-taking will occur more frequently as the outcomes of the SDSR are implemented. This will  be a significant challenge for the Royal Navy and the MoD and the committee call on them to  outline their plans to meet this challenge in response to their report."

The report also raises concerns over the level of "clarity" shown by ministers.

It notes that the defence review promised a "clear strategic aim... and a viable exit strategy"
for UK forces.