Hague: Libya capture 'serious misunderstanding'

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said the detention of a British diplomatic team in Libya was the result of a "serious misunderstanding."

In a Commons statement following the capture of the eight-strong team, which included special forces troops, Mr Hague confirmed that he had authorised the deployment and that the situation which led to their detention had been "resolved".

"Last week I authorised the dispatch of a small British diplomatic team to eastern Libya, in uncertain circumstances which we judged required their protection, to build on these initial contacts and to assess the scope for closer diplomatic dialogue. I pay tribute to that team."

Mr Hague said opposition groups in eastern Libya formed an interim national council in Benghazi on Saturday and ministers and Foreign Office officials "are in contact with members of this council, who welcomed the idea of a British diplomatic mission to Libya...This engagement is vitally important to gain a better understanding of the political, military and humanitarian situation on the ground."

The Foreign Secretary said the team were able to meet council president Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, but "it was clearly better for this team to be withdrawn".

He added: "We intend to send further diplomats to eastern Libya in due course."