British troops could be sent to Libya to train local forces

British troops could be sent to Libya to train local forces if a new unity government requests it, Downing Street has indicated.

Warring factions in Libya signed a UN-sponsored deal on Thursday to end the conflict in the country, forming a new national unity administration.

Before the agreement was signed, Number 10 said it would consider any requests for help from the new administration, through stressed these would only be in non-combat roles.

"No decisions have been made about any future deployment of British troops to Libya," a spokesman said.

Speaking on Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told MPs the west and Gulf states would "swing behind" a new Libyan government to help them fight so-called Islamic State.

The Times had reported that up to 1,000 British troops and special forces could be sent to contribute to a 6,000-strong Italian-led training mission in the country.