Hague meets Libyan rebels as Apache attacks intensify assault on Gaddafi
Britain demonstrated its solidarity with the cause of the Libyan rebel forces in a dramatic fashion yesterday, as the foreign secretary, William Hague, became the first government minister to visit their stronghold of Benghazi in the east of the country. Following his unannounced visit he said he had seen the “inspiring” hope of many Libyans for freedom.
Hague’s visit came in the wake of the first attacks by British Apache helicopters which targeted Muammar Gaddafi’s troops, destroying a radar station and a military checkpoint during a night-time raid. They marked a sharp escalation in the Nato campaign in Libya.