01/09/2011 BBC News at One

Libya post-Gaddafi, the country's interim government will meet world

leaders at a conference hosted by the French President. The Libyan

leadership will call for help for rebuilding and preparing for

democracy. Nearly 2,000 RAF and Army personnel

are to be told they are to be made redundant.

Raising the flag at RAF Brize Norton - a special ceremony is held

to mark the transfer of military repatriations. To the people of

Wootton Bassett, for years one small town did this whole country a

great service. A tobacco giant tries to access

research about teenagers' smoking habits.

Attempts to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS are condemned as

woefully inadequate. Coming up: Mo Farah is safely

through to the 5,000 metres final Good afternoon. Welcome to the BBC

News at One. Libya's new leaders will join representatives of 60

nations and organisations in Paris this afternoon to discuss the

future of their country. The Foreign Secretary says the meeting

is an opportunity for the international community to discuss

how it can support a free, democratic and inclusive Libya.

Overnight, the RAF flew millions of pounds worth of Libyan banknotes

into Benghazi, money that was frozen under United Nations

sanctions at the start of the crisis. Let's cross to Ben Brown

who is in Tripoli. Today is a hugely important day for

Libya. Not only that very important summit in Paris, but this is the

42nd anniversary of Colonel Gaddafi coming to power. He is no longer in

power. In fact, he is on the run, a fugitive in his own country. The

latest information from rebel commanders here in Tripoli is that

they believe he may be in the town of Bani Walid, down the road, about

100 miles south-east of Tripoli. Although there is no confirmation

of that at the moment. Meanwhile, that unfrozen cash has arrived from

the UK into the Libyan city of Benghazi.

After six months of protests, battles and revolution, this is the

moment the Libyan opposition take to the world stage. But to complete

their success, the opposition, the revolutionaries, need hard cash. In

the opposition stronghold of Benghazi last night, a scene

straight out of a Hollywood movie. Under heavily-armed guard, the

Royal Air Force flew in the first instalment of nearly �1 billion

worth of Libyan banknotes, printed in Britain but until now frozen

under UN sanctions. So this is what 280 million Libyan dinars looks

like, all urgently needed here and, says the British Government, the

first instalment of future help. The Libyans are checking every note,

determined to never again have their money stolen by their leader.

So excited tonight. We are celebrating our eighth day.

convoy speeds the money to the Central Bank. It is desperately

needed. Shortages of cash mean there have been long queues and

lively scenes at Libyan banks. The country also needs some of the

billions of dollars of foreign currency frozen in foreign accounts

in order to buy essential petrol and other supplies. This is Abdul-

Alti al-Obeidi - now the latest Gaddafi loyalist to be captured by

the opposition. But as the opposing armies square up outside the city

of Sirte, Colonel Gaddafi's son is still in hiding issuing more

threats. TRANSLATION: You are welcome to

come to Sirte. There are 20,000 of our loyalists there, fully armed,

ready and itching to fight. contradictory message from his

brother Saadi. Clearly the Gaddafi family are not united. The focus

here in Libya is already on building for the future after the

end of the conflict and on rewarding allies. In Benghazi's

main square, David Cameron shares in the grateful thanks addressed to

world leaders from the Libyan people. Whoever would have dreamt

of that a few short months ago. Well, in a moment, we will hear

from James Robbins with the latest from that Paris conference. Let's

go live to Jon Leyne in Benghazi. You saw that cash arrive, crucial

in the short-term, but in the longer term this is a very wealthy

country, isn't it, with 2% of the world's Oil Resources here? Yes. I

have seen lots of different figures putting it at well over �100

billion in foreign bank accounts. As soon as the world is happy that

there is a proper government in place here and they have taken over,

that money will be released. The Libyan opposition, soon to be

government, are pressing as hard as possible to get as much of that as

possible because there are shortages here causing great

problems, shortages of petrol here in Benghazi as well as in Tripoli,

shortages of food, shortages of fuel for the generators. They

really want cash in the bank to provide for the people and to

reward their support. Thank you very much. James Robbins in Paris,

it's a huge number of countries represented. Is this mainly a

symbolic meeting, do you think? think the symbolism is hugely

important. You are looking at behind me one of the great

ceremonial political stages of the world, the steps of the Elysee

Palace. In a couple of hours' time, it will be decked out with the

ceremonial honour guard with the French Republic - they are taking

shade from the sun at the moment. Of course, it will be the imagery

which will be so important of President Sarkozy and David Cameron

welcoming as the emerging government of the new Libya what

was the rebel leadership. It will mark a really important transition,

I think, in world perceptions and I am sure it will be very important

to Libyan people, the imagery. Beyond it, there is some substance

to this meeting. It is a chance to hear from the rebel leadership

their plans, how they intend to carry Libya forward and to try and

press them, to ensure they have the means to do it, to provide security

for the people of Libya, to provide them with essential services and to

set them on an undeviating path towards democracy. Some people have

fears that perhaps this leadership is only united in the idea of

getting rid of Colonel Gaddafi. Indeed. James Robbins, thank you,

and also to Jon Leyne in Benghazi. Well, while they talk about the

transition to a Libyan democracy in Paris, there is still possibly

fighting ahead here in Libya. The rebels have set an ultimatum of

Saturday for Gaddafi loyalists in Sirte, the Colonel Gaddafi's

stronghold, his hometown, to surrender or face an attack by

rebels who have converged on that city from east and west. It may

well be that that is the final battle here in this conflict. That

is it from me here in Tripoli. Back to you in London.

Thank you. Ben Brown in Tripoli. Here, nearly 2,000 Army and RAF

personnel are being told today that they are being made redundant as

part of the cuts announced in last year's Strategic Defence Review.

About 75 0 of them are being made compulsory redundant including 150

Gurkhas. Britain may be fighting wars on two

fronts wits long-term commitment in Afghanistan and its continuing

mission over Libya, but today's -- with its long-term commitment in

Afghanistan and its continuing mission over Libya, but today's

announcement means the size of its force is decreasing.

In this first wave of redundancies, the Army is losing 920 posts, most

will be volunteers with 660 soldiers successfully applying for

redundancy. But 260 who did not volunteer will be forced to leave.

The RAF's losing 930 posts. Of those, 440 have volunteered for

redundancy. Another 490 RAF personnel will be facing compulsory

redundancy. We will treat our people with as great a dignity as

we can. Our people will be available to help those people

transition from the military life to civilian life. Some units have

been hit hard. The Gurkhas, who the MoD say are overmanned, account for

more than half of those in the Army being forced to take redundancy.

This is just the start of what is likely to be a very painful process,

not just for the Gurkhas. The Royal Navy will announce details of their

first wave of redundancies at the end of this month. Over the next

few years, thousands more service personnel will be losing their jobs.

Those Armed Forces personnel affected have been ordered not to

talk to the media. But organisations that speak on their

behalf say these are worrying times. This is a very difficult time for

families. When the first tranche was announced the number of

redundancies needed was lower than we now know. All Army families will

be concerned about whether or not their soldier will be made

redundant. Those serving in Afghanistan, or involved in

operations over Libya, have been protected from this round of

redundancies. But Labour warns that the cuts will have an impact on the

nation's ability to fight the next war.

Let's talk about all of this with General Sir Mike Jackson, the

former head of the British Army. Thank you for your time this lunch

time. The Government would argue that cuts here and now mean that

later in the decade the Armed Forces can regenerate, they will be

able to continue fighting as we would expect, partly because of

spending on equipment as well. Does it all stack up, do you think?

hope it does. The Strategic Defence and Security Review looked forward

to 2020 and beyond and that is the structure that is being designed.

We are, whatever it is, nine years away from 2020 and in the

intervening period I think it does carry risk without doubt. The risks

being what in your opinion? Well, for example, we will not have

carrier strike, aircraft on aircraft carriers until the end of

the decade. That is clearly a gap in our capability. And so could we

reach a point as a country where a politician of any colour goes to

the head of the Armed Forces, says, "We are interested in such and such

a fresh campaign" would the military ever feel able to say, "We

are overstretched, we can't do that"? I think that is a very

hypothetical question. We have Afghanistan at the moment and the

Prime Minister has made it clear that that will be done by 2015 in a

combat role. Of course, we have the air action over Libya, which

hopefully will be coming to a rapid end. But the point I would like to

make here is, of course, uncertainty is the name of the

world we live in and we have seen that time and time again. It may

well be that come 2015 we have no operations, but it would not

surprise me at all if circumstances came along where the Government

would have to again decide whether to take part in some intervention

or whatever between now and the end of the decade. It will very much

depend on what such an operation would require in terms of military

capability as to the Armed Forces' ability to discharge what is asked

of them. That is the point. You said yourself it is an uncertain

world. Do we - are we entering an era where we have to be more

realistic and future operations simply might not be possible?

the day, it is for the Government to decide its spending priorities,

that is the political process and I'm not going to comment, other

than just to note that despite all the difficulties, the Government's

spending programme this fiscal year is some �700 billion of which

defence takes �35 billion, that gives a sense of the proportion

which defence is taking up in terms of Government spending. General Sir

Mike Jackson, we must leave it A ceremony was held this morning to

mark the transfer of military repatriations from RAF Lyneham, to

RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Yesterday the people of Wootton

Bassett marked the end of their town's role in honouring British

service men and women killed overseas with a special service.

From now on the coffins will travel through the town of Carterton. Our

correspondent, Jon Kay, is there. After four years, Wootton Bassett

can stand at ease. It is Carter sent that sees itself as being on

duty. -- Carterton. The ceremonial handover has taken place. Every

time there is a repatriation through the base, it will be

lowered to half-mast. A community prepares to enter the spotlight.

Carterton, taking over where Britain Bassett left off. Just

outside RAF Brize Norton, they gathered on the new memorial garden.

This will now be the focus of military repatriations. In a

symbolic handover, the flag that has flown over Wootton Bassett was

given to this new community. behalf of the communities of

Carterton and Brize Norton, I pledge our support to the families

of the fallen. At this Memorial Garden and beneath this Union flag

from Wootton Bassett, we will come together to pay our some respects

to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. -- solemn. Overhead a

reminder of this area's links to the armed forces. On A day when the

Government is under pressure for making cuts to the military, the

Prime Minister was here but in his capacity as local MP. The ceremony

has been important to mark the change from RAF Lyneham to RAF

Brize Norton and the handover from the people of Wootton Bassett to

the people of Carterton and Brize Norton so they can show their

respects in the same way. Some say this garden is to set up -- sterile

and it is not appropriate to have it by an industrial estate, the

whole thing is to organise. Wootton Bassett evolved over time. Local

people working to take part. It is the people that will make it feel

like Wootton Bassett so give it time. You think the same spirit

will be here? Definitely. Her all Carterton can do is to show the

world and make Britain proud. I think we can manage it. In a week's

time they will gather here for the first repatriation. They hope it

will also be the last one. As somebody who has reported from

Wootton Bassett sadly on so many occasions over the last four years,

I cannot tell you have different this place is. It is unrecognisable.

There has been criticism within this community. They want to put

all that behind them and move on and do what they see is the right-

thinking and start showing respect whenever they are called on -

whenever they are needed. Our top story this lunchtime: Libya's

interim government is meeting world leaders this afternoon. At a

conference hosted by the French President, security, rebuilding and

preparing for democracy are on the agenda. Coming up: We will be

broadcasting to you from the top of the Blackpool Tower which has just

undergone a multi-million-pound refit. Later in the sport, Alan

Pardew has been charged with improper conduct for comments he

made in the derby against Sunderland. He has until Monday to

Efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in this country have

been described as woefully inadequate, by a House of Lords

committee. It's calling for a national campaign to raise

awareness of the condition 25 years after the Don't Die of Ignorance

campaign of the 1980s, and more screening. The HIV virus attacks

the body's immune system, reducing its ability to fight infection and

there is still no cure. Here's our health correspondent. There is now

a danger that has become a threat to us all. 25 years ago today, a

start advertising and leaflet campaign began to warn every

household in the UK about the virus behind AIDS. So far it has been

confined to small groups but it is spreading. The Conservative

politician who launched a campaign when he was Health Secretary has

led today's report. He wants to see a new drive to raise awareness of

HIV once again. We are spending absolutely next to nothing on

prevention. That is really the scandal. We should be spending much

more money on trying to prevent HIV. It is obviously good for the

individual and good for the economy, good for the Treasury. HIV used to

mean an early death. Now drugs contain this virus and stop the

onset of AIDS. The report warns a vaccine is still many years away.

The number of people who are HIV positive is predicted to pass

100,000 by next year. It means the annual bill for drug treatment in

the UK has now reached almost �1 billion. It is estimated just over

a quarter of those with HIV do not realise they have it. People think

it is no longer a problem and it has gone away. Over the years,

awareness and concern about HIV has dropped off. It is the fastest

growing serious health condition in the UK. We must wake up to that.

The report says HIV testing should be a routine part of medical care

by GPs. The Department of Health agrees messages on safe sex are as

vital now as they were 25 years ago. The number of households in the UK

where no adult works has fallen to 3.88 million. That's a drop of

38,000 on last year. The figures, from the Office for National

Statistics, suggest that about a fifth of households have no adult

in work. A British military cadet has died after being critically

injured in a skydiving accident. The officer cadet, who has not been

named, was seriously injured along with another cadet at the Lake

Elsinore Parachute Centre in southern California. The cause of

the accident is being investigated by the Ministry of Defence.

Stirling University is fighting an attempt by a tobacco company to

gain access to its research into the smoking habits of teenagers.

Philip Morris International, which makes Marlboro cigarettes, has

submitted Freedom of Information requests to the university.

Academics say revealing their findings would be a major breach of

confidence, and could jeopardise future research. Our Scotland

correspondent, James Cook, is in Why do teenagers start smoking?

That is the question a team at Stirling University has been asking.

They had into the thousands of youngsters between the ages of 13

and 24. Some of their findings have been published. I think you would

have to ask Philip Morris were they are interested. As a researcher, I

have spoken and my colleagues had spoken, two young people, in

confidence, on the strict reassurance that week and bona fide

researchers will be the only people to look at the data. I think it is

absolutely essential that we stand by that. Around the UK, plain

packaging call cigarettes is being considered. Philip Morris says this

research can shed light on the impact of such a move. At Stirling

University they are painting there's as David against Goliath, a

small group of researchers against a giant corporation. Philip Morris

does not see it like that. In a Scotland's Information Commissioner

says a request for information about smoking is legitimate but

researchers can still argue they should not hand it over. The

university intends to fight this all the way. When you switch the

lights on at home tonight, the chances are you're using a 60 watt

bulb. But we won't be able to buy them for much longer. The UK's most

popular lightbulb is being phased out in favour of energy efficient

versions. It is part of the big switch-off. First 100 watt

lightbulbs disappeared and now 60 watt versions are being consigned

to history. It has prompted some customers to bulk buy. They are

buying bulk quantities. They are stocking up for their lifetime for

the lifetime of what they think is their fitting. The Government

believes switching to energy efficient lighting will reduce

carbon dioxide emissions. These efficient lightbulbs are more

expensive. Energy-saving experts say they use up to 80% less

electricity than traditional baths and last 10 times as long. Shoppers

appreciate the new light bulbs are better for the environment but some

say they are not sure they do the job as well. To be honest, I do not

like them. I would rather an ordinary bulb. The newer light

bulbs give very poor light. They have to accept that. The Government

says you have to do this, people should be given a choice.

Environmentally friendly box last longer but throwing them away

requires more thought. -- light bulbs. You cannot chuck them in the

bin. You need to take them somewhere where they can be

disposed of because they contain mercury. A lot of shops will have

the old lightbulbs in stop for months to come. Displays like this

show efficient lightbulbs Thembi just as illuminating as the iconic

original's. -- can be just. One of the UK's most famous seaside

attractions, the Blackpool Tower, has re-opened, after a multi-

million pound refurbishment. The tower now boasts a new 4D cinema

and the town council is hoping to double the number of visitors to

800,000 a year. Our correspondent, Here I am, right at the very top,

the very busiest of heights at the top of the Blackpool Tower. It is

one of the best loved landmarks on the Blackpool seafront. Those who

have known and loved it over the years, it has become tatty. It has

been given a new lick of paint outside and in. From the bottom up

to the top it has been renovated. It has cost many millions of pounds.

The whole idea is to attract as many families as possible to the

area. If you have a head for heights, come on a journey. 158

metres up and on a day like today the top of Blackpool Tower gives

you unrivalled views. You have always been able to see for miles

but the tower has been given a makeover or with a new glass

walkway. It is ingenious. It gets your emotions going in a really

strange way. It is spectacular. Blackpool Tower has been a fixture

on the skyline since 1893. It is seen here in film from the 19

hundreds. It is not the first time the town has been given a makeover.

Or they have to do now is change the name. They have taken the black

out of Blackpool. There are those he considered the resort to have

seen better days. Now �250 million has been spent regenerating the

town. Suffering from vertigo, I confess it is not my ideal

assignment. Tourism bosses are hoping there will be enough

visitors who are game enough to come up here of their own accord.

Blackpool council bought the Tower of their own accord. Five people go

out of the UK for every two foreign visitors that come in. One way to

address that is to make world-class attractions and world-class resorts

and destinations will be able to come to. Blackpool has long been a

fixture on the stag and hen party circuit. With the prospect of a

super casino now gone, the new hope is that families will flock to the

resort instead, bringing a much- needed boost to its economy. As I

mentioned in that report, this is not my idea of fun. This is eight-

year-old Clary. She is perfectly happy to do the splits this high up.

When I had finished speaking to you, I will be getting out of here as

For the first time in a long time we are seeing the sunshine. Lately

it has been cloudy. It is feeling much warmer than it has done lately.

In the coming days it is set to get even warmer. Temperatures peaking

in the mid- twenties. It will not last as we head into next week.

High pressure has kept the weather dry but it has been cloudy. Clear

skies have meant we started with sunshine this morning. The

satellite picture reveals the cloud nibbling away across Scotland and

Northern Ireland to reveal much needed blue-sky. This afternoon the

weather is set fair. Temperatures climbing up to 21 degrees in London.

The sunshine extends in the seven seaside counties. It will feel like

summer. Dry weather and sunshine extends across Wales. Even in

Northern Ireland, there are sunny spells around. There is a weather

front lurking in the West. A fine afternoon for much of Scotland. The

clouds will break to reveal bright skies through the afternoon and

temperatures climbing up to 18 degrees. In the North of England

that sunshine has been revealing itself. We just saw blue skies in

Blackpool. This evening the weather front will be making progress

across Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the north it will be a

mild night. Under clear skies it will turn pretty chilly in the

south. The north-west will be cloudy, wet and pretty breezy.

Further south tomorrow, temperatures climbing up to 26

degrees in London. Even 22 degrees as far north as Manchester. Into

the weekend we have high pressure in the South East keeping it there.

In the north-west there will be wet and windy weather. On Saturday and

Sunday in the north it is looking pretty cloudy and wet. In the south

it will be a beautiful day on Saturday. There could be the risk

of showers. A bit of a divide in the weather but feeling like summer