Libya TV shows captured Dutch navy helicopter crew

[WestVirginiaRebel]

BBC:

A Dutch navy helicopter crew have been shown on Libyan state TV after being captured while attempting to evacuate two foreign citizens.

The TV showed the three-strong crew, their Lynx helicopter and weapons, saying they had entered Libyan air space "in breach of international law".

Dutch officials say the helicopter was captured on Sunday near Sirte while trying to fly out two Europeans.

Talks are under way to free the crew, who are two men and one woman.

They had landed near Sirte, a port city in central Libya under the control of government forces, to carry out a "consular evacuation", the Dutch defence ministry said.

An armed Libyan unit captured them along with the two evacuees - a Dutch national and another, unidentified European - who were later released by the Libyan authorities and left the country.

The Dutch defence ministry has been in contact with the crew who were "doing well under the circumstances", a Dutch spokesman said on Thursday.

They had flown into Libya from the Dutch warship Tromp, which is anchored off the coast.
________

The EU's hostage crisis?

[Valin]

BBC:

 

A Dutch navy helicopter crew have been shown on Libyan state TV after being captured while attempting to evacuate two foreign citizens.

 

The TV showed the three-strong crew, their Lynx helicopter and weapons, saying they had entered Libyan air space "in breach of international law".

 

Dutch officials say the helicopter was captured on Sunday near Sirte while trying to fly out two Europeans.

 

Talks are under way to free the crew, who are two men and one woman.

 

They had landed near Sirte, a port city in central Libya under the control of government forces, to carry out a "consular evacuation", the Dutch defence ministry said.

 

An armed Libyan unit captured them along with the two evacuees - a Dutch national and another, unidentified European - who were later released by the Libyan authorities and left the country.

 

The Dutch defence ministry has been in contact with the crew who were "doing well under the circumstances", a Dutch spokesman said on Thursday.

 

They had flown into Libya from the Dutch warship Tromp, which is anchored off the coast.

________

 

The EU's hostage crisis?

 

 

This obviously calls for a strongly worded note of protest...quick someone call the UN!

[SrWoodchuck]

Under "Pant Suit's" Department of State, they might send in a diplomatic team, that could quickly be recalled in a fit of pique.