Foreign Secretary William Hague said Musa Kusa's resignation shows that Qadhafi’s regime, which has already seen significant defections to the opposition, is fragmented, under pressure and crumbling from within.

Foreign Secretary William Hague, said earlier today as part of a speech at the launch of the 2010 Human Rights and Democracy Report:

“I can confirm, as we did last night, that the Libyan Foreign Minister, Musa Kusa, arrived at Farnborough Airport yesterday from Tunisia. He travelled here under his own free will, he said that he is resigning his post. We’re discussing this with him and we will release further details.

We encourage those around Qadhafi to abandon him and embrace the better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform, that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people.

Musa Kusa is one of the most senior members of the Qadhafi regime, he has been my channel of communication to the regime in recent weeks and I’ve spoken to him several times on the telephone, most recently last Friday. His resignation shows that Qadhafi’s regime, which has already seen significant defections to the opposition, is fragmented, under pressure and crumbling from within.  Qadhafi must be asking himself who will be the next to abandon him.

We reiterate our call for Qadhafi to go.  Musa Kusa is not being offered any immunity from British or international justice, he is voluntarily talking to British officials at the moment including members of British Embassy in Tripoli which is, of course, now based in London, and our Ambassador Richard Northern. And as I say we will release further details in due course.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that Musa Kusa had arrived in the UK last night:

"We can confirm that Musa Kusa arrived at Farnborough Airport on 30 March from Tunisia.  He travelled here under his own free will. He has told us that he is resigning his post. We are discussing this with him and we will release further detail in due course.

Musa Kusa is one of the most senior figures in Qadhafi's government and his role was to represent the regime internationally - something that he is no longer willing to do.

We encourage those around Qadhafi to abandon him and embrace a better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people".