Libya: 3 Dutch marines still held by Gadhafi regime after failed rescue attempt - Dutch PM kept quiet on incident until after Senate elections

Three Dutch marines were captured over the past weekend by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi during a rescue attempt of two European workers by Dutch marines flown in by helicopter from the Dutch navy ship HMS Tromp, anchored off the Libyan coast. The marines have now been held by Libyan authorities for five days, a Dutch Defense Ministry spokesman said Today.

The workers, two Europeans, one Dutch and one whose nationality was not released, were handed over unharmed to the Dutch embassy in Tripoli this morning and have already left Libya, the ministry of Defense spokesman said.

Asked if the Dutch government considered the marines hostages, Dutch minister of defense spokesman Beeksma said, “they are being held by Libyan authorities.”

Prime Minister Mark Rutte ( insert) said news of the men's capture was kept quiet to assist talks on their release after Dutch daily De Telegraaf first reported of their capture in its Thursday edition. “These are situations that benefit from total secrecy because then you can carry out discussions in peace to ensure these people get home safely,” the PM told national broadcaster NOS.

Many political analysts are now suggesting Rutte kept the news quit because it was only a few days before the crucial senate elections and could negatively influence the election results for the PM's right-wing Government coalition.

EU-Digest