Hague approved SAS Libya mission

2011-03-07 15:25:34

7 March 2011 Last updated at 18:28 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Libya unrest: Ministers accused of 'serial bungling' This graffiti in Benghazi shows the confidence of the anti-Gaddafi rebels Continue reading the main story Libya Crisis Divisive bid Dangers lurk Should Sirte be rebuilt? War victims' care scandal

Labour has accused the government of "serial bungling" over Libya, following a botched SAS mission to make contact with opponents of the country's leader.

Six soldiers and two Foreign Office officials were detained for two days by rebels in eastern Libya but were freed on Sunday and left the country.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said the men were withdrawn after a "serious misunderstanding" over their role.

Labour's Douglas Alexander said ministers were losing their grip.

Mr Alexander, shadow foreign secretary, told the Commons: "I believe I speak for many when I say that the news on Sunday that British diplomatic and military personnel were being held was seen as just the latest setback for the UK and raises further serious questions about ministers' grip and response to the unfolding events in Libya."

The mission was aimed at making contact with those leading opposition to the rule of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Most of the group were dropped by helicopter into eastern Libya on Friday but were later seized and taken to a military base in handcuffs by opposition fighters.

Witnesses said they were found to be carrying weapons, ammunition, maps and passports from four different countries, after the group had denied they were armed.

Continue reading the main story “Start Quote

The foreign secretary appeared demoralised or, perhaps, bored by the attacks on him for what has gone wrong in recent weeks”

End Quote Nick Robinson BBC political editor Read Nick's thoughts in full

Following their release, they left for Malta on board HMS Cumberland on Sunday night.

Mr Hague told MPs on Monday: "Last week I authorised the despatch of a small British diplomatic team to eastern Libya, in uncertain circumstances which we judged required their protection, to build on these initial contacts and to assess the scope for closer diplomatic dialogue. I pay tribute to that team."

He added that the situation which led to their detention was "resolved" and they were able to meet opposition council president Mustafa Abdel Jalil, but "it was clearly better for this team to be withdrawn".

Mr Hague said the timing and details of the mission had been decided by professionals, but he took full ministerial responsibility for the operation and confirmed Prime Minister David Cameron had been aware in advance.

The prime minister's spokesman said it was still the government's intention to send diplomats to eastern Libya to make contact with opposition groups.

After fighting first broke out in Libya, the government was criticised for being slow to charter flights to bring home stranded Britons and creating confusion over the possibility of a no-fly zone.

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