LIBYA: Foreign Secretary William Hague promises continued British support for Libyan rebels / Rare daytime NATO strikes hit Tripoli

Record ID: 339657

  • Title: LIBYA: Foreign Secretary William Hague promises continued British support for Libyan rebels / Rare daytime NATO strikes hit Tripoli
  • Date: 5th June 2011
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (JUNE 4, 2011) (REUTERS FOR AGENCY POOL) HOTEL IN CENTRAL TRIPOLI (AUDIO OF ONE AIR STRIKE) VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS FILMING ON ROOF TOP HOTEL IN CENTRAL TRIPOLI (AUDIO OF TWO MORE AIR STRIKES)
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAL2EWEEPKT0YRWN6Z2W3YLT4L
  • Story Text: British Foreign Secretary William Hague visited the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi on Saturday (June 4) to show support for the opposition fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi from power.
    Hague, who was travelling with Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell, met leaders of the rebels' National Transitional Council, which the British government sees as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
    Hague told a news conference in Libyan-rebel-held Benghazi said Britain would continue to support those trying to oust Muammar Gaddafi from power.
    "As long as Gaddafi continues to abuse his people, we will continue and intensify our efforts to stop him from doing so,"Hague said.
    A NATO-led military alliance extended its mission to protect civilians in Libya for a further 90 days this week, and France said it was stepping up military pressure as well as working with those close to Gaddafi to try to persuade him to quit.
    Military analysts say Apache attack helicopters will allow more precise strikes against pro-Gaddafi forces hiding in built-up areas than the high-flying jets used so far, while reducing the risk of civilian casualties.
    But given the vulnerability of helicopters to ground fire, their deployment also increases the risk of Western forces suffering their first casualties of the campaign.
    NATO has said the use of helicopters would not presage the deployment of ground troops, which Western nations have ruled out.
    "There are no United Kingdom combat troops on the ground in Libya," Hague told reporters in the eastern Libyan town on Saturday.
    British and French attack helicopters struck inside Libya for the first time overnight on Saturday, hitting targets in the oil port of Brega as NATO forces stepped up their air war against Muammar Gaddafi.
    Mitchell spoke to reporters about Britain's efforts to relieve the humanitarian crisis created as people fled unrest in Libya, saying:"From the first day we have been helping deal with the hugh number of people crossing the borders ensuring that they don't end up in camps but get home to their own country."
    "I believe that we have stopped a logistical crisis turning into an emergency," he added.
    Hague and Mitchell he visited a medical centre where they met some of those wounded in the conflict.
    Aircraft of the NATO-led alliance hit targets in Tripoli, where at least six explosions were heard. Aircraft could be heard overhead at the time of the blasts, before sunset.
    It was not immediately clear which targets were hit.
    NATO forces have been striking targets in and around the capital most nights, usually shortly before or after midnight. Strikes during daylight hours, like Saturday's, are relatively rare.
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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