Netherlands in 'intensive' negotiations for release of captured crew in Libya

Senior Dutch defence ministry officials led by Ed Kronenburg, secretary-general at the foreign affairs ministry at The Hague landed in Malta last Sunday on a Gulfstream jet while a Royal Dutch Airforce special forces’ unit was on ‘stand-by’ at Luqa aboard a CH-130 aircraft.

Kronenburg held an urgent meeting with Maltese foreign office permanent secretary John Paul Grech, before reportedly flying to Libya to continue the negotiations with Tripoli.

The Lynx helicopter had taken off from the Tromp, a Dutch naval warship that was positioned about 25 miles South of Malta. Shortly before the operation that was intended to evacuate two civilians, the same crew - which included a female pilot - were in Malta and took off from Malta International Airport with “supplies”.

According to the Libyan government, the crew entered Libyan airspace "in breach of international law." Libyan state TV says their mission was to evacuate or drop off spies. No official word has been sent from the Libyan government to the Dutch on spying charges.

"The aim of the helicopter (Lynx) mission was to drop or pick up spies on Libyan soil," said the State TV report, adding that there was "an international conspiracy" against Libya and Gaddafi.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense said the crew was conducting a "consular evacuation" when armed men detained them when they attempted to take-off from Sirte. Marloes Visser, a ministry spokesman, said, "We heard that they are being treated well." The ministry said there are "intensive diplomatic talks" between the two governments to negotiate the release of the crew. Very little information has been released due to the "interests of the safety of the crew," said Hans Hillen, the Dutch defense minister.

Libyan State TV aired footage, reportedly of the three crew members, along with weapons and American money, and a helicopter. Armed men can be seen around the helicopter, apparently celebrating its capture. The footage then shows the three crew members inside a building surrounded by plain clothed and uniformed personnel, drinking a beverage.

"At this moment they're being held by the Libyans, and we're doing everything in our power for a soon and safe release," added Visser. The three are the first known foreign troops detained by Gaddafi forces since the crackdown began.