British SAS troops 'held in Libya'

[Taylor13]

LONDON (AFP) – Britain said Sunday that it had a small diplomatic team in Benghazi but refused to confirm reports that a diplomat and an elite special forces unit were being held in Libya's second city.
A Libyan opposition spokesman, confirming British media reports, said several British soldiers and a London diplomat were detained after landing in rebel-held Libya but are "safe and well".
The Sunday Times newspaper had said the SpecialAir Service (SAS) unit was captured along with the junior diplomat they were escorting through the rebel-held east and who was seeking contact with opponents of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110306...ritainmilitary

I think it's time for a road trip.

[Seventy2002]

"The team went to Libya to initiate contacts with the opposition. They experienced difficulties, which have now been satisfactorily resolved. They have now left Libya."

Hello! We're the remnants of one of history's great colonial powers. We're here to help you!

[Kieth M.]

After springing that Lockerbie bomber last year, under the 'compassionate release dying-of-cancer' crud, the Brits and their friends in Gadhaffi Duck's admin, get zero-to-no sympathy from me.

I'm only sorry the men of the 22nd have to be stained by the actions of the pols. Had it been a military mission, not diplomatic, I'm sure the Libyans would be cleaning up a mess and wondering what had happened.

[BritCop in USA]

After springing that Lockerbie bomber last year, under the 'compassionate release dying-of-cancer' crud, the Brits and their friends in Gadhaffi Duck's admin, get zero-to-no sympathy from me.

Actually, it was the Scottish (State / Provincial) Government that realeased him, not the British (Federal) Government.

I'm only sorry the men of the 22nd have to be stained by the actions of the pols. Had it been a military mission, not diplomatic, I'm sure the Libyans would be cleaning up a mess and wondering what had happened.

Anyway, this story just doesn't add up?

Firstly, they talk about S.A.S. soldiers who were guarding a British Diplomat. Well for a start, the S.A.S. Regiment no longer does this job, and hasn't done since the early 1980's. This role was passed to the Royal Military Police (C.P.) Close Protection Wing, who guard British Diplomats worldwide.

Secondly, the S.A.S. work in 4-man teams, so the numbers simply don't add up here?

Lastly, the S.A.S. never wear Regimental insignia on their operational uniforms, and would never admit to being in the S.A.S. anyway. They would claim to be part of another unit, if ever captured.

But I guess it makes for a good 'story' for the brainwashed public.

[M-11]

There are several varying degrees of Opsec shenanigans here.

SAS/SBS are better at staying out of the news than this.

M-11

[CWCDiver]

Anyway, this story just doesn't add up?

Firstly, they talk about S.A.S. soldiers who were guarding a British Diplomat. Well for a start, the S.A.S. Regiment no longer does this job, and hasn't done since the early 1980's. This role was passed to the Royal Military Police (C.P.) Close Protection Wing, who guard British Diplomats worldwide.

Secondly, the S.A.S. work in 4-man teams, so the numbers simply don't add up here?

Lastly, the S.A.S. never wear Regimental insignia on their operational uniforms, and would never admit to being in the S.A.S. anyway. They would claim to be part of another unit, if ever captured.

But I guess it makes for a good 'story' for the brainwashed public.

SAS maintains a close protection capacity.

The captured soldiers were not RMP, or even soldiers.

The SAS are very flexible, they can work in teams smaller or larger than 4.