Three Dutch Marines captured in Libya by pro-Gadhafi forces
Three Dutch marines are being held by authorities in Libya after they were captured by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi while trying to rescue Dutch workers, a Defense Ministry spokesman said Thursday.
The three were surrounded by armed men and captured Sunday after landing near Sirte in a Lynx helicopter that was on board the navy ship HMS Tromp, which is anchored off the Libyan coast to help evacuations from the conflict torn country, spokesman Otte Beeksma told The Associated Press.
Dutch officials are in “intensive negotiations” with Gadhafi’s government to secure the marines’ release, he said.
“We have also been in contact with the crewmen involved,” Beeksma said. “They are doing well under the circumstances and we hope they will be released as quickly as possible.”
Asked if the Dutch government considered the marines hostages, Beeksma said, “they are being held by Libyan authorities.”
Two people the marines were trying to rescue also were captured but have since been released and have left Libya.
The identities of the marines were not released.