Libyan state television has claimed British prime minister David Cameron has used Irish and Scottish mercenaries to quell this week's riots in England.

"The rebels of Britain approach Liverpool in hit-and-run battles with Cameron's brigades and mercenaries from Ireland and Scotland. God is Greatest," said a breaking news caption on Libyan TV's morning programme.

At least 1,500 people have been arrested around England and more than 500 charged since the disorder began last Saturday in the north London suburb of Tottenham.

Libya's "mercenary" taunt was part of a morning show traditionally aimed at drumming up sentiment for Col Gadafy.

The Gadafy regime has been under pressure from Libyan rebel forces supported by Nato following anti-government protests in Libya on February 15th, the start of the bloodiest revolt of the so-called Arab Spring.

"These (riots in Britain) are not protests fomented by foreign intelligence services," said the show host, contrasting the turmoil in Britain with what Tripoli calls a foreign-hatched plot to unseat Libya's lawful government .

Yesterday, the Libyan government turned Western rhetoric back on Mr Cameron, saying he "has lost his legitimacy and must go" - a formulation that London, Washington and Paris have used to demand Gadafy leave power after 41 years.

Reuters