Libya: 'Rebels Free Eight SAS Soldiers'

Libya: 'Rebels Free Eight SAS Soldiers'

From : http://www.thisdaylive.com

SKYNEWS
Eight SAS soldiers who had been detained by Libyan rebels near
Benghazi have left the country aboard HMS Cumberland, according to Sky
News sources.
According to reports the group had been taken to Benghazi after being
apprehended near the city.
A British diplomat who was with the unit was said to have been
involved in negotiations for their release.
The Foreign Secretary, William Hague has confirmed that a British
diplomatic team who had been detained by Libyan rebels had been freed
and had left the country.
"The team went to Libya to initiate contacts with the opposition," said Hague.
He added "They experienced difficulties which have now been
satisfactorily resolved."
The Foreign Secretary said other diplomats would be sent to Libya to
"strengthen dialogue" with rebel leaders.
The rebels had earlier been reported as saying the soldiers were being
well treated and the issue would soon be resolved.
Defence Secretary, Liam Fox earlier confirmed that a "small diplomatic
team" had been in Benghazi to talk to Libyan rebels.
Fox declined to comment on reports the SAS unit guarding the team had
been detained.
"We are in touch with them but it would be inappropriate for me to
comment further on that" he told the Andrew Marr show.
According to the Sky sources the eight SAS members were among a group
of around 22 soldiers and one diplomat believed to have been dropped
by helicopter in an area south of the Benghazi.
The SAS's intervention allegedly angered Libyan opposition figures who
ordered the armed and plain-clothes soldiers to be locked up on a
military base.
Opponents of Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi's feared he could use any
evidence of western military interference to rally patriotic support
for his regime.
The Geneva-based Human Rights Solidarity group says the soldiers were
caught when they were at a location 6 miles (10km) from Benghazi's
airport at Benina.