Three Dutch marines captured during rescue in Libya
The three marines landed their Lynx near the port of Sirte on Sunday, flying in from the Dutch warship Tromp, which is anchored off the Libyan coast.
“Intensive negotiations” were under way, a ministry spokesman said.
The ministry was in contact with the marines who were “doing well under the circumstances”, he added.
“We hope they will be released as quickly as possible,” Otte Beeksma told the Associated Press news agency.
Asked if the Dutch government considered the marines hostages, he replied: “They are being held by Libyan authorities.”
Two people the marines were trying to rescue - one Dutch person and another European - were captured but have since been released and have left Libya, Dutch media say.
“It was a consular evacuation,” Mr Beeksma added.
“During the operation the helicopter was grounded by an armed unit.”
‘Total secrecy’
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said news of the men’s capture had been kept quiet to assist talks on their release.