David Cameron has said he is "extremely sorry" for the delays to the Government's efforts to rescue British nationals stranded in Libya.

Amid heavy criticism of the Foreign Office's slow response to the chaos, the Prime Minister said: "What I want to say to those people is I am extremely sorry ... It is a very difficult picture in Libya. This is not an easy situation."

Meanwhile, British nationals escaping the violence in Libya have described a country "descending into hell" as they returned to the UK on Thursday.

Scores of expatriate workers have been evacuated on chartered and military aircraft, with one landing at Gatwick and another due to touch down in Malta shortly.

It follows widespread criticism of the British repatriation effort, with Foreign Secretary William Hague forced to apologise for delays in getting nationals out of the strife-torn country.