William Hague says more diplomats may go to Libya Skip to main content

William Hague says more diplomats may go to Libya

Anti-Gaddafi graffiti This graffiti in Benghazi shows the confidence of the anti-Gaddafi rebels

LIBYA REVOLT

Foreign secretary William Hague says more UK diplomats may be sent to Libya despite an SAS-escorted team being captured by anti-Gaddafi rebels.
The diplomatic team, including six SAS soldiers, were freed two days after being detained in eastern Libya.
They left for Malta on board HMS Cumberland on Sunday night.
Mr Hague said: "We intend, in consultation with the opposition, to send a further team to strengthen our dialogue in due course."
The foreign secretary is expected to make a statement about the mission to MPs in the Commons later.
The team were dropped by helicopter into eastern Libya but were seized by opposition fighters and were found to be carrying weapons, ammunition, maps and passports of four different countries.
Mr Hague said: "The team went to Libya to initiate contacts with the opposition.
"They experienced difficulties, which have now been satisfactorily resolved. They have now left Libya."
Mr Hague said: "We continue to press for Gaddafi to step down and we will work with the international community to support the legitimate ambitions of the Libyan people."
The British ambassador to Libya, Richard Northern, was called in to explain to opposition forces what the group were doing in eastern Libya.
He spoke to a spokesman for former justice minister, Mostafa Abdel Jalil, who is now a rebel leader, to explain the men's mission.
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The Libyan State TV broadcast claims to show the UK ambassador speaking to a rebel spokesman
A telephone call between Mr Northern and Mr Jalil's spokesman was intercepted by the Gaddafi regime and excerpts were played on Libyan state television on Sunday.
In it, Mr Northern could be heard apologising for the "misunderstanding" and pleading for the men's release.
Forces loyal to Col Gaddafi have fought bitter clashes with rebels in the central towns of Bin Jawad and Zawiya.
Some of Sunday's heaviest fighting was reported in Misrata, 200km (125 miles) east of Tripoli, where a local doctor told the BBC the situation became "very bad" after pro-Gaddafi forces with tanks and armoured cars went into the city centre and opened fire.
Libyan air force pilots have also been involved in the fighting, strafing and bombing rebel targets.
'Dodgy deals in the desert' Defence Secretary Liam Fox says the idea of a "no fly zone" would be discussed at a meeting of Nato defence ministers later this week.
Prime Minister David Cameron has also reiterated his call for Col Gaddafi to go and criticised Tony Blair's government for conducting "dodgy deals in the desert" in Libya back in 2004.
Mr Cameron told the Conservative Party spring conference: "When Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, this party stood by those who wanted to reject Communism and embrace freedom.
"And today, this party stands by those reaching for that same freedom in the Arab world."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12661730
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