As Col Gaddafi calls upon Islamic armies to stand against the “crusaders”, the UK Evangelical Alliance says the international coalition must concentrate on protecting civilians.
The Evangelical Alliance cautioned against the conflict escalating into “another Iraq” with ground troops eventually occupying Libya.
It urged the international coalition to focus its military operations on destroying Colonel Moammar Gaddafi’s ability to wage war on his own people and returning the country to a state of normality.
General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, Steve Clifford, said: “We recognise that there are vastly differing attitudes to war among Christians but war is always regrettable and must be seen as a last resort.
“We also recognise that the UN Security Council resolution of 1973, of which Britain is a signatory, was made to sanction a strict code of military action to restore international peace.
“We ask that the current UN campaign does not go beyond its mandate and that civilian lives are protected in every possible way.”
The Alliance also expresses concerns over the cost of military operations at a time when the UK’s Ministry of Defence budget has been slashed by eight per cent and cuts are being made to other public services.