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Dutch newspapers have reported that  three Dutch soldiers have been held in Libya since last Sunday when they were carrying out a mission to evacuate two civilians.

The three soldiers were captured by Libyan forces after they had travelled by helicopter from the Dutch navy ship Tromp to the city of Sirte. They had wanted to pick up two people, one of whom was Dutch.

Contact was made between Dutch authorities and Libyan officials. This led to the two evacuees being handed to the Dutch embassy in the capital Tripoli. They have left Libya now.

The soldiers, however, have not yet been released. “It’s a terrible issue,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, “Furthermore, I cannot say anything about it, in the interest of the captured soldiers in Libya. Only when the soldiers are back home safely, I can give more details.”

New Zealands Economic and Development Minister, David Carter, has estimated that it will take ten years to rebuild Christchurch, following the recent Earthquake.

Since no survivors have been found since last Wednesday, officials have said that they do not think more survivors will be found.

The earthquake reached a 6.3 on the Richter Scale when it occurred over a week ago. On Tuesday, New Zealand commemorated the victims with a two minute silence. In Christchurch, politicians, officials, rescue services and church leaders gathered in silence around a memorial made from bricks of the wreckage covered in flowers.

In the capital city of Wellington, 4,000 people gathered on the streets to pay their respects. Parliament flags flew at half mast.

Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parker says that the city will still host the Rugby World Cup matches later this year, as planned. Christchurch is to host five pool games and two quarter-finals in the Cup, which begins on 9 September 2011.

‘Utterly, absolutely, totally committed to that,’ he said, although the city’s rugby venue AMI Stadium will remain closed until at least 15 March while operators check the extent of damage there.