Libya : A no lie zone

[Magda Hassan]

MoD silent over report of SAS men captured in Libya

Rebel forces, opposed to Colonel Gaddafi, are in control of much of eastern Libya
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The Ministry of Defence says it will not comment on a claim in the Sunday Times that members of the SAS have been seized by rebel forces in Libya.
The paper claims a unit was involved in a secret mission to put British diplomats in touch with rebels trying to topple Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
It says eight SAS men, in plain clothes but armed, were captured as they escorted the diplomat in eastern Libya.
In a statement, the MoD said: "We do not comment on the special forces."
The paper claims the SAS soldiers were taken to Benghazi, the rebel stronghold, where they are being interrogated.
The full statement from the MoD read: "We neither confirm nor deny the story and we do not comment on the special forces."
Meanwhile, Libyan state TV claimed troops loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi have made significant gains against rebel forces who have taken parts of the country in a two-week insurrection.
It said pro-Gaddafi forces had retaken the towns of Zawiya, Ras Lanuf, Misrata and even Tobruk - although those claims have not been independently verified.
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Benghazi says the claims go against all the evidence on the ground, unless there has been a sudden and dramatic swing overnight - of which there is no sign.
Regarding the SAS seizure claims, Geneva-based Human Rights Solidarity group said it was aware that a team of special forces had been seized by Libyan rebels but it did not know which country they were from.
Separately, a group of Dutch special forces was apparently captured by Col Gaddafi's forces in western Libya while trying to assist Dutch nationals to evacuate from the country.
Earlier, the MoD had confirmed Scottish troops were on standby to assist with humanitarian and evacuation operations in Libya.
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, is on a routine deployment notice of 24 hours at an RAF base in Wiltshire.
But they have not been earmarked for a combat role.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12658054