Gaddafi Forces Capture Dutch Military Helicopter
State television in Libya airs footage of a Dutch military helicopter that Libya says they apprehended along with three Dutch Marines who had allegedly entered the country illegally.
Announcing the incident in a news bulletin on state television, Libya says the helicopter contained weaponry and had entered Libyan airspace without permission from the authorities.
The Dutch Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday that three Dutch Marines had been detained in Libya after being captured by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. A spokesman said the trio had been apprehended while trying to rescue two Europeans.
Dutch authorities say they are in "intensive diplomatic negotiations" with Gaddafi's government to secure the release of the Marines.
In the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he did not want to talk about the situation out of fear of the safety of the Marines.
[Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister]:
"As long as I think that it is better for the process to get the three soldiers back safe that I and the government keep our mouths shut, then that long we will keep our mouths shut."
The identities of the Marines have not been revealed.
Announcing the incident in a news bulletin on state television, Libya says the helicopter contained weaponry and had entered Libyan airspace without permission from the authorities.
The Dutch Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday that three Dutch Marines had been detained in Libya after being captured by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. A spokesman said the trio had been apprehended while trying to rescue two Europeans.
Dutch authorities say they are in "intensive diplomatic negotiations" with Gaddafi's government to secure the release of the Marines.
In the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he did not want to talk about the situation out of fear of the safety of the Marines.
[Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister]:
"As long as I think that it is better for the process to get the three soldiers back safe that I and the government keep our mouths shut, then that long we will keep our mouths shut."
The identities of the Marines have not been revealed.
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