Britain has warned Libya’s rebels that Nato is prepared to used military force against the opposition if it wages armed attacks on civilians loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi, officials said yesterday.

Whitehall officials said that the “same assets” that are currently waging air strikes on Col Gaddafi’s regime and its forces would be unleashed on the rebels should they take revenge on towns and populations that have so far remained under Col Gaddafi’s control. . .