UK govt defends its role

The British government on Friday rejected criticism of its intervention in Libya, arguing its involvement saved civilian lives and claiming the Islamic State group has been weakened in the country.

The government's comments follow a September report in which the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee published a damning assessment of the 2011 intervention alongside France.

The report said London's strategy was based on "erroneous assumptions and an incomplete understanding of the evidence," accusing the government of selectively taking the threats of dictator Muammar Gaddafi at face value.

But in its response the government argued its actions "undoubtedly" saved civilian lives in Libya.

"Qadhafi (Gaddafi) was unpredictable and had the means and motivation to carry out his threats. His actions could not be ignored, and required decisive and collective international action," the government said in its written response.

Gaddafi was ousted and killed during the uprising and Britain was criticised by the Foreign Affairs Committee for expanding its mission to protect civilians to a policy of regime change, a charge rejected by the government.

Britain's then prime minister, David Cameron, was blamed in the report as "ultimately responsible for the failure to develop a coherent Libya strategy".

Five years after the intervention, Libya is run by two rival administrations and remains embroiled in violence including the presence of extremists such as the Islamic State group.

The British government should have been aware that militant extremist groups would attempt to benefit from the rebellion, the Committee report said.