Libya: 500 Britons could still be stranded (Special forces on standby)

[maddezmom]

Source: The Guardian

Up to 500 British citizens are thought to be still stranded in Libya as efforts continue to help them flee the chaos engulfing the country. The Foreign Office said it received more than 1,000 calls on Thursday from British nationals who wanted to leave the country.

David Cameron is due to chair a meeting of the National Security Council, with the rescue of Britons stranded in Tripoli or remote oil-producing desert areas high on the agenda. Special forces are on stand-by to carry out such a rescue.

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An RAF Hercules lifted refugees from Tripoli to Malta on Thursday where they joined one of the charter flights home. The naval frigate HMS Cumberland, which picked up 68 Britons and about 130 other people of 10 nationalities from Benghazi on Thursday, is battling atrocious weather in the Mediterranean and is not expected to reach Malta until 5pm UK time.

Another government chartered plane is on the ground in Tripoli. The Foreign Office said it might send another aircraft if required.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/25/libya-500-britons-could-be-stranded

[maddezmom]

1. Libya: British forces rescue 150 civilians from desert

Two RAF Hercules aircraft were involved in the rescue, which involved the SAS and forces from Special Boat Service.

Both planes have landed in Malta, the Ministry of Defence confirmed, while HMS Cumberland is on her way back to Benghazi to evacuate anyone else left in the chaos-stricken country.

Britain has also evacuated its diplomatic staff and suspended the operations of the British embassy in Tripoli.

Workers departed on the last Government-chartered flight, which took off for Gatwick carrying 53 British nationals on Saturday afternoon.

more:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8349688/Libya-British-forces-rescue-150-civilians-from-desert.html

[inwiththenew]

2. Interesting

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