By DPA,
The Hague : Three Dutch soldiers have been captured by militias loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during a failed evacuation mission, the Defence Ministry in the Hague confirmed Thursday.
The soldiers were attacked and captured after their helicopter landed near the city of Sirte, on a mission to evacuate two Dutch citizens there. Sirte is Gaddafi’s hometown.
“Intensive negotiations” were taking place to secure the soldiers’ release, a ministry spokesman said.
The incident, which was reported in the daily De Telegraaf Thursday, took place Sunday, he said.
It had not been made known until now for security reasons, he added.
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