UK Troops Seized In Libya

SAS soldiers captured by rebels during a daring midnight mission in Libya were released last night.

The six soldiers and two diplomats were seized after they landed near the Libyan city of Benghazi, a rebel stronghold, in the early hours of Friday.

But last night they were aboard the Royal Navy ship HMS Cumberland bound for the UK.

Rebels thought their weapons, explosives and fake passports marked them out as foreign mercenaries.

Ministry of Defence sources say the men were "fine" and were released as soon as the UK confirmed their identity.

The black-clad special forces soldiers were dropped in by helicopter and met two undercover diplomats.

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox admitted a small diplomatic team was in Benghazi.

Dr Fox added: "We are in touch with them." The SAS group is believed to have been trying to put the diplomats in touch with key opposition figures trying to topple the regime of Colonel Gaddafi.

But a senior member of the rebel council said: "They were carrying espionage equipment, reconnaissance equipment, multiple passports and weapons.

"This is no way to conduct yourself during an uprising. Gaddafi is bringing in thousands of mercenaries to kill us."

The news comes as reports emerge that 100 members of Gaddafi's police are being trained at Huddersfield University.

Prime Minister David Cameron repeated his message that Colonel Gaddafi "must go."

He said: "We will continue to intensify pressure on the regime. But let me repeat, it is time for Gaddafi to go."

Yesterday nightclub dancer Dafinka Mircheva claimed Gaddafi's son Saadi spent £500,000 on a champagne birthday party for her featuring a performance by the Pussycat Dolls at a villa in Cannes.