Libyan state TV says Dutch evacuation crew has been freed

Al Jazeera reports that the three Dutch soldiers taken captive by Libyan troops during a botched operation a fortnight ago to evacuate two civilians are to be freed, Libyan state TV says.

It is unclear whether a Maltese-registered private jet that left Malta this morning at 9am on a medical flight to Tripoli, will be bringing the Dutch crew back to Malta.

A leading Dutch foreign ministry official arrived in the Mediterranean Tuesday to negotiate for the release of three Dutch military personnel held by the Tripoli government. The trio was captured in Libya ten days ago by Gaddafi loyalists. 

The official, Ed Kronenburg, is using his knowledge and experience of Libya, gained from his handling of the aftermath of the May 2010 plane crash in Tripoli that left 70 Dutch nationals dead. He is being assisted by Italian mediators, reports Dutch daily de Telegraaf.

Official reaction from The Hague has been tempered, with a spokesperson saying only “intensive diplomatic consultations” are underway. 

The helicopter crew of three was arrested during an evacuation mission on 27 February. After landing in a Lynx helicopter near the Libyan town of Sirte, the crew was seized by a group of pro-Gaddafi militants.

Criticism of the mission was voiced to de Telegraaf by Dutch retired marine colonel H. C. Roode. He called it a tragic failure that could have been avoided through cooperation with marines aboard the Dutch frigate HNLMS Tromp, stationed off the Libyan coast.

According to Col Roode, divers should have determined whether the area was safe and then given the sign to go ahead. “Marines would have immediately noticed the situation on the beach was suspicious due to the presence of troops loyal to Gaddafi.”

The ministry of defence has declined to comment on the mission or the capture of the crew.