Cameron in Libya response apology

2011-02-24 19:22:14

24 February 2011 Last updated at 23:16 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Libya unrest: David Cameron apology for UK response

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British nationals speak of "disastrous" evacuation from Libya

The British Red Cross has deployed a team of volunteers to Gatwick airport to provide support to Britons being evacuated.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said an SAS contingent has been put on standby for emergency deployment to parts of Libya, backed up by paratroopers of the Special Forces Support Group.

Our correspondent said: "With the situation for some British nationals in Libya fast deteriorating, it's part of a range of options being considered by the government to rescue those stranded in the north African country."

Desert camps

Several other countries, including France, Russia and the Netherlands have already evacuated some of their citizens from Libya.

UK nationals wishing to register an interest in flights out of Libya should call 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45 from Libya.

The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Libya.

Around 3,500 Britons had been living in Libya before the crisis but most of those are thought to have left in recent days.

Tripoli airport was described as being jammed with passengers and luggage

However, there is particular concern for some British oil workers thought to be stranded in isolated desert camps.

They are struggling to make contact because the phone networks have been disrupted and their supplies of food and water from Libyan cities are running out.

"Some we know have been subjected to attacks and looting. They are in a perilous and frightening situation," said Mr Hague.

Tony Blakeway told the BBC he was at a camp in Amal with 300 people, about 50 of them British. He said armed locals had been protecting them but they were worried they would leave.

"Please send immediate help as these looters will be back here tonight. The phones are not working. Please help us to get out," he said.

After a week of upheaval in Libya, protesters backed by defecting army units are thought to have almost the entire eastern half of Libya under their control.

The country's beleaguered leader Col Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 42 years, has vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" rather than leave the country.

Earlier, Mr Hague told the BBC the "odds were stacking up" against Col Gaddafi, adding: "We have a government, or the remnant of a government, here which is prepared to use force and violence against its own people."

He said the Libyan leadership would be "held to account" for crimes against its people.

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