British bungle covert SAS mission
TONY EASTLEY: What was meant to be a covert British SAS mission to reach out to Libya's opposition forces has ended up a debacle, with the unit caught, detained and then told to go home.
It's understood the small group of commandos were escorting British diplomats who were trying to contact leaders of the anti-Gaddafi forces.
In a further embarrassment to the UK, Libyan state television has broadcast what's believed to be a telephone conversation between the British Ambassador to Libya, and a spokesman from Libya's opposition forces.
London correspondent, Rachael Brown, reports.
RACHAEL BROWN: Up to six SAS solders were detained by rebels near Benghazi, after flying into the area by helicopter on Friday. It's reported they were escorting British diplomats trying to establish contact with opponents of Colonel Gaddafi.
The UK's foreign secretary, William Hague, would not be drawn on what the team was doing there.
WILLIAM HAGUE: There is a small British diplomatic team in Benghazi. I can confirm that. We are in contact with them. It is inappropriate to comment further on that at the moment.
RACHAEL BROWN: But in an embarrassment to British authorities, Libyan state television has broadcast what it claims is a phone recording of Britain's ambassador to Libya, Richard Northern, and a member of the National Transitional Council, a group trying to organise opposition.
The voice you'll now hear is that of Mr Northern asking for the council's help in freeing the detained soldiers.
RICHARD NORTHERN: We have been planning to send some officials to stay in Benghazi to liaise with you, with the national council, but also to keep an eye on the humanitarian situation and see whether there is any medicines or food or things that we can provide for the future to help the people.
RACHAEL BROWN: Mr Northern says there's been a misunderstanding, and the group was picked up by local security concerned about their presence and who they were.
A spokesman for the Libyan former justice minister, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who's now part of the National Transitional Council, replies.
SPOKESMAN FOR MUSTAFA ABDEL JALIL: They made a big mistake with coming with helicopter I think, in open area, so I don't know...
RICHARD NORTHERN: Oh, did they? I didn't know how they were coming.
SPOKESMAN FOR MUSTAFA ABDEL JALIL: Yeah, it was a helicopter in an open area so the people they note that there was somebody, some people coming down...
RICHARD NORTHERN: Oh, I'm not surprised. That is alarmed them.
SPOKESMAN FOR MUSTAFA ABDEL JALIL: They talked to them and there is investigation now going on.
RACHAEL BROWN: A spokesman from the rebel stronghold Benghazi has told reporters rebels refused to talk to the British delegation because of the way they entered the country. The team is said to have entered without prior arrangements, in the dead of night, carrying guns explosives and passports of multiple nationalities.
The British foreign office has confirmed its diplomatic team has left Libya after experiencing difficulties. They've returned on the navy ship, HMS Cumberland.
It's the first known British diplomatic deployment, to try to build political contacts with the opposition, and better understand what's going on but many rebels say they don't want the West's intervention.
So with military support, for the moment, ruled out, Britain, and other countries, will have to reassess the way they reach out to opposition groups, and the risks to those involved.
This is Rachael Brown in London reporting for AM.
It's understood the small group of commandos were escorting British diplomats who were trying to contact leaders of the anti-Gaddafi forces.
In a further embarrassment to the UK, Libyan state television has broadcast what's believed to be a telephone conversation between the British Ambassador to Libya, and a spokesman from Libya's opposition forces.
London correspondent, Rachael Brown, reports.
RACHAEL BROWN: Up to six SAS solders were detained by rebels near Benghazi, after flying into the area by helicopter on Friday. It's reported they were escorting British diplomats trying to establish contact with opponents of Colonel Gaddafi.
The UK's foreign secretary, William Hague, would not be drawn on what the team was doing there.
WILLIAM HAGUE: There is a small British diplomatic team in Benghazi. I can confirm that. We are in contact with them. It is inappropriate to comment further on that at the moment.
RACHAEL BROWN: But in an embarrassment to British authorities, Libyan state television has broadcast what it claims is a phone recording of Britain's ambassador to Libya, Richard Northern, and a member of the National Transitional Council, a group trying to organise opposition.
The voice you'll now hear is that of Mr Northern asking for the council's help in freeing the detained soldiers.
RICHARD NORTHERN: We have been planning to send some officials to stay in Benghazi to liaise with you, with the national council, but also to keep an eye on the humanitarian situation and see whether there is any medicines or food or things that we can provide for the future to help the people.
RACHAEL BROWN: Mr Northern says there's been a misunderstanding, and the group was picked up by local security concerned about their presence and who they were.
A spokesman for the Libyan former justice minister, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who's now part of the National Transitional Council, replies.
SPOKESMAN FOR MUSTAFA ABDEL JALIL: They made a big mistake with coming with helicopter I think, in open area, so I don't know...
RICHARD NORTHERN: Oh, did they? I didn't know how they were coming.
SPOKESMAN FOR MUSTAFA ABDEL JALIL: Yeah, it was a helicopter in an open area so the people they note that there was somebody, some people coming down...
RICHARD NORTHERN: Oh, I'm not surprised. That is alarmed them.
SPOKESMAN FOR MUSTAFA ABDEL JALIL: They talked to them and there is investigation now going on.
RACHAEL BROWN: A spokesman from the rebel stronghold Benghazi has told reporters rebels refused to talk to the British delegation because of the way they entered the country. The team is said to have entered without prior arrangements, in the dead of night, carrying guns explosives and passports of multiple nationalities.
The British foreign office has confirmed its diplomatic team has left Libya after experiencing difficulties. They've returned on the navy ship, HMS Cumberland.
It's the first known British diplomatic deployment, to try to build political contacts with the opposition, and better understand what's going on but many rebels say they don't want the West's intervention.
So with military support, for the moment, ruled out, Britain, and other countries, will have to reassess the way they reach out to opposition groups, and the risks to those involved.
This is Rachael Brown in London reporting for AM.
(source: abc.net.au:AM)
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