A SAS mission to Libya resulted in humiliation after the troops were first captured by rebels, then a diplomat’s plea for their release was broadcast on state television.
Richard Northern, right, appears on Libyan television
The mission was error-strewn from the beginning, when a helicopter carrying the team of seven SAS soldiers and MI6 officer landed in Benghazi without warning the rebel commanders - causing the insurgents to think they were coming under attack.
The team then aggravated the situation by claiming to be unarmed - which only made their predicament worse when their weapons were discovered.
A senior British diplomat was on Sunday night unwittingly broadcast on Libyan state television pleading for the release of the group.
The troops and their Special Forces escort were detained by rebel security forces on Friday after arriving in the early hours by helicopter.
The seven SAS soldiers and MI6 officer touched down 20 miles from Benghazi, the eastern city where the rebels have their headquarters. They were taken to a nearby compound where local witnesses said warning shots were fired.
Their unexpected arrival prompted panic among the local militia, only exacerbated by the discovery of weapons, explosives and ammunition accompanying the soldiers. The group was swiftly handcuffed and taken to a military base as British officials frantically tried to secure their release.
A conversation purportedly between Richard Northern, the British ambassador to Libya, and a rebel official was intercepted yesterday and released on Libyan state television.
During the conversation, Mr Northern said there had been a "misunderstanding" as the British contingent was only trying to contact rebel forces and assess the humanitarian situation.
However, Hafiz Ghoga, a spokesman for the rebels' National Council in Benghazi, said they were detained because of the secretive manner in which they had entered Libya.
"The reason they were arrested was that they came into the country unofficially and without any arrangement with the Libyan authorities. Libya is an independent nation, we have our borders [and] we should expect them to be respected by everybody."
The intelligence officer and escort last night left Libya aboard HMS Cumberland. The failed mission and subsequent negotiations has led to a disastrous start for any future co-operation between Britain and the rebel troops.
In the UK, MPs said the intercepted calls could boost Col Gaddafi's position by allowing him to suggest that the opposition groups are in league with Western governments.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, is expected to make an urgent statement on Monday to the House of Commons explaining the secretive mission and the events that followed.
In a terse statement last night, the Foreign Secretary confirmed that a "small diplomatic team" had been in Benghazi and "experienced difficulties".
Britain would send more such teams in future, he said.
Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, said that the mission was part of Britain's support for regime change in Libya.
Sir Menzies Campbell, the former Lib Dem leader, said the fate of the secret mission will "cause disappointment and embarrassment in Whitehall".
He said: "Coupled with the apparent interception of the ambassador's conversations with the rebels – and the inference that Gaddafi will attach to them – and it is clear that British influence in Libya has been dented by these events."
Libya continued to veer towards full-scale civil war.
Col Gaddafi unleashed his forces across the country to reclaim towns and cities seemingly in rebel hands.
But early successes appeared largely to have been reversed by nightfall, with rebels claiming to still be in charge of key cities and oil installations.
In Tripoli reports of early gunfire were followed by "celebratory" fire in a large pro-Gaddafi rally, ostensibly held to honour the defeat of rebels.
But any celebrations remain for now very premature.
A conversation purportedly between Richard Northern, the British ambassador to Libya, and a rebel official was intercepted yesterday and released on Libyan state television.
During the conversation, Mr Northern said there had been a "misunderstanding" as the British contingent was only trying to contact rebel forces and assess the humanitarian situation.
However, Hafiz Ghoga, a spokesman for the rebels' National Council in Benghazi, said they were detained because of the secretive manner in which they had entered Libya.
"The reason they were arrested was that they came into the country unofficially and without any arrangement with the Libyan authorities. Libya is an independent nation, we have our borders [and] we should expect them to be respected by everybody."
The intelligence officer and escort last night left Libya aboard HMS Cumberland. The failed mission and subsequent negotiations has led to a disastrous start for any future co-operation between Britain and the rebel troops.
In the UK, MPs said the intercepted calls could boost Col Gaddafi's position by allowing him to suggest that the opposition groups are in league with Western governments.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, is expected to make an urgent statement on Monday to the House of Commons explaining the secretive mission and the events that followed.
In a terse statement last night, the Foreign Secretary confirmed that a "small diplomatic team" had been in Benghazi and "experienced difficulties".
Britain would send more such teams in future, he said.
Liam Fox, the Defence Secretary, said that the mission was part of Britain's support for regime change in Libya.
Sir Menzies Campbell, the former Lib Dem leader, said the fate of the secret mission will "cause disappointment and embarrassment in Whitehall".
He said: "Coupled with the apparent interception of the ambassador's conversations with the rebels – and the inference that Gaddafi will attach to them – and it is clear that British influence in Libya has been dented by these events."
Libya continued to veer towards full-scale civil war.
Col Gaddafi unleashed his forces across the country to reclaim towns and cities seemingly in rebel hands.
But early successes appeared largely to have been reversed by nightfall, with rebels claiming to still be in charge of key cities and oil installations.
In Tripoli reports of early gunfire were followed by "celebratory" fire in a large pro-Gaddafi rally, ostensibly held to honour the defeat of rebels.
But any celebrations remain for now very premature.
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