One thousand British ground troops could be deployed to conflict-hit Libya as part of an international force of 6,000, a group of MPs have been told.
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said it had become aware of the apparent plans during a visit to Egypt and Tunisia earlier this month.
It said it had been told the force would train the Libyan army and provide security for the government.
Libya's newly-formed UN-backed Government of National Accord, currently based in Tunisia's capital Tunis, is also set to request airstrikes against Islamic State targets, according to the MPs.
But a Government spokesman said what the committee had been told on their recent visit was "wrong on a number of counts".
re are no plans to extend airstrikes to Libya nor are there plans to send British troops to provide security on the ground in Libya.
"It is therefore also wrong to suggest the Defence Secretary will agree any UK contribution this week."
In a letter to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, committee chairman Crispin Blunt said: "We heard that the GNA's (Government of National Accord's) likely first formal action will be to request that the UK and its allies conduct airstrikes against ISIL (IS) targets in Libya."
Mr Blunt said the "pre-emptive deployment of UK military forces is now a matter for the House of Commons" and he urged Mr Hammond to make a statement to Parliament on the issue.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was expected to agree Britain's contribution to the force at a conference in Europe this week, the committee added.
Libya descended into chaos after dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in 2011 which allowed extremist organisations, including IS, to gain significant ground.
It left the country deeply divided and ruled by two parliaments: an internationally recognised body based in the eastern city of Tobruk and a rival government, backed by Islamist-allied militias, that controls Tripoli.
Western countries have agreed that action is needed to push out IS jihadists from Libya, but world powers have said they wanted a national unity government to request help before formally intervening.
On Saturday, Libya's UN-backed unity government said it was taking office, with the US describing the new body as "the only legitimate government in Libya".
The Government of National Accord said the majority of the previous, internationally backed government in the country's east had endorsed it.
But there are concerns over its chances of successfully operating in Tripoli.
Italy has agreed to lead a UN-mandated international stabilisation force, but the sticking point has been getting credible backing from a national authority.
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