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.”
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