Bombing will continue in Libya as Nato mission is extended by 90 days

# Cameron denies British soldiers are now on the ground
# Latest air strikes destroy government ammunition dumps

Britain has welcomed Nato's decision to extend its mission in Libya for a further 90 days, which could see operations continue almost to the end of September.

Operations to enforce the no-fly zone and use air power to protect civilians were authorised for an initial 90 days - up to the end of June - when the military alliance took over command on March 31.

But with dictator Muammar Gaddafi still holding firm in the face of international military action, the allies have agreed an extension today.

The development came as UN investigators said that both Gaddafi and the forces of the opposition have committed war crimes in Libya.

A report by three UN-appointed experts called on both sides to conduct transparent and exhaustive investigations and bring those responsible to justice.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister David Cameron's official spokesman insisted that Britain has no combat troops in Libya, following the publication of photographs which appear to show Westerners on the ground in the country.

Men reported to be ex-SAS soldiers were pictured training the rebels. The Guardian reported that some were being used by Nato to identify targets in Misrata, while the Daily Mirror quoted a source saying they were 'representing Britain'.

But Government sources insisted there was no funding of such help for the rebels.

A private security firm is thought to have been employed to protect a joint Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence team sent to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi to offer technical assistance.

Asked if the UK was paying private security firms engaged in Libya, Mr Cameron's spokesman said: 'We have had an FCO/MoD team in Benghazi. Clearly we take their security seriously and have arrangements in place.'

 Target: Soldiers and civilians gather in front of a burning official building following a recent airstrike in Tripoli

 Danger zone: Smoke billows from a blast in the parking lot of the Tibesti hotel in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi yesterday

More on the way: Enhanced Paveway bombs arrive in Gioia Del Colle, Italy, from where the RAF is launching bombing raids on Libya

He added: 'We do not have any combat forces in Libya and we have repeatedly said that we have no intention of sending any. Any military activity that we undertake will be in accordance with the [United Nations] Security Council Resolution 1973.'

The decision to extend the Nato mission was made at a meeting of ambassadors from the 28 Nato countries plus ambassadors from the five non-Nato countries participating in the Libya campaign - Jordan, Qatar, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

Secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the extension 'sends a clear message to the Gaddafi regime - we are determined to continue our operation to protect the people of Libya'.

And Foreign Secretary William Hague described the decision as 'an important reaffirmation of the international community's resolve and determination to implement fully UNSCR 1973 and protect the people of Libya'.

'The UK will continue to work closely with our international partners to support the legitimate aspirations and demands of the Libyan people,' he said.

The Ministry of Defence announced that massive stocks of ammunition were destroyed in the latest Nato air strikes in Libya, which saw RAF Typhoon and Tornado jets destroying up to ten bunkers containing armaments being used to repress rebels.

Military spokesman Major General John Lorimer said: 'RAF ground attack aircraft conducted successive strikes against one of Colonel Gaddafi's largest ammunition depots, located at Waddan.

'As Nato operations have taken their toll on stockpiles closer to the coast, the regime has become increasing dependent on Waddan for the ammunition to sustain its attacks on the civilian population.

'The Tornado and Typhoon strikes yesterday destroyed ten ammunition bunkers and a military vehicle at the depot.'

The commander of the U.S. military's Africa Command, General Carter Ham, voiced concern that weapons from Libya might end up in the hands of the Al Qaeda terror network.

'There is a very real concern for all the regional partners, and the United States shares this concern, about the proliferation of weapons from Libya to other places, including those under the control of Al Qaeda and others,' said Gen Ham.