WILLIAM Hague’s decision to recognise the rebels opposed to Colonel Gaddafi as the sole governmental authority of Libya is ill-considered.

Recognising the opponents of a government one doesn’t like shows, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, poor judgement. What if a foreign power which didn’t like the UK government decided instead to recognise an opposition party as the legitimate government of the UK?

While many approved of the decision to protect the population of Benghazi, it should be remembered the rebels in Libya have not been elected by anyone and do not control Libya.

I know there are those who say if you aren’t prepared to act in Bahrain then you shouldn’t act in Libya. I understand those who reply “just because we cannot do everything everywhere that does not mean we should do nothing anywhere”.

I recognise that oil, and the world’s dependence on it is at the heart of all these conflicts across the Middle East and that we would be far better off moving away from our dependence on fossil fuels.

As news comes through of the Libyan rebels now apparently assassinating each other in the pursuit of power, Hague’s decision will come back to haunt him and us.

Christian Vassie, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York.