Up and Coming: Dutch marines captured in Libya

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Dutch marines captured in Libya

The Dutch warship Tromp (image from Dutch navy website)

The marines were based on the warship Tromp off the Libyan coast

Talks are under way to free three Dutch marines captured in Libya as they tried to evacuate foreign citizens, the Netherlands' defence ministry says.

The three landed by helicopter near the port of Sirte on Sunday, flying in from the Dutch warship Tromp, which is anchored off the Libyan coast.

"Intensive negotiations" were under way, a ministry spokesman said.

The ministry was in contact with the marines who were "doing well under the circumstances", he added.

"We hope they will be released as quickly as possible," Otte Beeksma told the Associated Press news agency.

Asked if the Dutch government considered the marines hostages, he replied: "They are being held by Libyan authorities."

Two people the marines were trying to rescue - one Dutch person and another European - were captured but have since been released and have left Libya, Dutch media say.

"It was a consular evacuation," Mr Beeksma added.

"During the operation the helicopter was grounded by an armed unit."

The Tromp, which was initially to have taken part in an anti-piracy operation off Somalia, headed for the Libyan coast on 24 February.

The port city of Sirte is considered the main remaining stronghold of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the centre of the country, as he struggles with a spreading revolt against his rule.

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