Lynx + crew captured in Libya - Comments

[ehusmann]

It seems international law is not as clearcut as you think it is. I am not an expert, but former secretary of defence Joris Voorhoeve explained very well in Buitenhof today that the Netherlands can make a case against it being a violation.

Erwin

[Wildpicture]

Civil war isn't the issue.

Yes, it is.

1. Because of the civil war civilians of our country are in trouble over there and need to be rescued. Under international law, this gives countries (under certain conditions) the right to enter such a country with armed forces to rescue their citizens.
2. Because of the civil war, you can argue about who is now in charge of the country and who is representing the country. Is it Gadhaffi or is it the rebel movement? Gadhaffi says there is no opposition, the opposition claim they are in charge of most of the country.

In such a situation it is (by international law) not only allowed for a foreign country to ignore the countries sovereignty. A country even has an obligation to protect its own citizens.

[Robert]

According to BBC News:
A British diplomatic team who were detained in eastern Libya after landing there two days ago have been freed, the Foreign Office has confirmed.
The men are understood to have left Benghazi bound for Malta on board the Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland.

Complete story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12660163

[Propwash]

So, from now on we can ignore all negative travel recommendations or Embassy advises to leave a country, because the RNAF or NRN will (by International law) protect and/or evacuate (if you are a Dutch passport holder) anyway.

[orange]

So, from now on we can ignore all negative travel recommendations or Embassy advises to leave a country, because the RNAF or NRN will (by International law) protect and/or evacuate (if you are a Dutch passport holder) anyway.

Exactly! And if I understood some of the comments aired here correctly: our forces can fly to any country they like and carry all the weapons they want, because there is no problem as long as they don't use these weapons.

1. Because of the civil war civilians of our country are in trouble over there and need to be rescued. Under international law, this gives countries (under certain conditions) the right to enter such a country with armed forces to rescue their citizens.
2. Because of the civil war, you can argue about who is now in charge of the country and who is representing the country. Is it Gadhaffi or is it the rebel movement? Gadhaffi says there is no opposition, the opposition claim they are in charge of most of the country.

As long as Khadafi doesn't acknowledge the fact his country is involved in a civil war, he automatically doesn't recognize the 'international powers' that say so including their laws. And that helicopter landed in a part of Libya that has been under the control of Khadafi for 42 years and is his hometown. His turf, his laws. Very simple.

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.nu.nl/binnenland/2465269/ned ... -vrij.html

The three Dutch crew members may be released in the very short term ! According to Libyan State Television they will be handed over to Greek and Maltese officials.

Of course it ain't over until the Dutchies have definitely landed on "safe soil", as it wouldn't be the first time some Libyan authorities have second thoughts at the last moment...

[aviodromefriend]

Release could be even today, as a son of Khadaffi should have said according to TV program Een Vandaag. Anyone info about what will happen with the aircraft?

[Polecat]

Kadhafi's son just said on RTL television that the "armed helicopter" will be kept but that the nato-soldiers wille be handed over to maltese/greek authorities.......

[Iwan Bogels]

Kadhafi's son just said on RTL television that the "armed helicopter" will be kept but that the nato-soldiers wille be handed over to maltese/greek authorities.......

Yep, the door gun made it a formidable battle helicopter. DUH.

At least they didn't caprure a new NH-90, which would have been a lot more painful for the Dutchies. Let's hope the crew will be released tonight, as Khadaffi's son told the world.

How many hours of flyingtime remained on 277's airframe ? Was this its last trip anyway ?

Cheers,
Iwan

[SquAdmin]

Makes me wonder... is that Lynx still parked on the beach??

[Slijfie]

Makes me wonder... is that Lynx still parked on the beach??

No! I know what you're thinking, but I'm sure it's guarded.

[phkza]

Well, it seems at least we get the airmen (and woman) back, which is the most important. That Lynx, well... either the Libyan army uses it, or they destroy it, or it will be stored, or 'we' bomb it, or we get it back when Khadaffi gets overthrown, who knows. Maybe we should go and ask the Maltese for those Libyan fighters and take those as a sort of trade Would make some nice Agressor aircraft

[Polecat]

If Tromp has a spare Lynx, I'd just drop off the dash-1 and officially present them the Lynx for a future liberation museum

[Alpha Kilo One]

If Tromp has a spare Lynx

Don't make me laugh! It is a pain in the ass for the Royal Navy, but making sure every ship has at least one (!) helo is enough effort for the moment.

Ronald

[Glidepath]

The crew has been released. A good, galant and wise guesture of the leadership of Lybia and of course col. Khadaffi who found time to handle this situation on top of all the important issues they and indeed the whole of Lybia are facing.
Thank you. May our great nations live in peace and proser.

news item in Dutch, found at http://www.nu.nl::
Vrijgelaten militairen op weg naar Nederland
Uitgegeven: 11 maart 2011 06:33
Laatst gewijzigd: 11 maart 2011 07:52
RIJSWIJK - Het Libische regime van Muammar Kaddafi heeft de drie Nederlandse militairen vrijgelaten, die het twaalf dagen geleden gevangen had genomen. De militairen zijn rond 5 uur Nederlandse tijd (6 uur lokale tijd) aangekomen in Athene. Vandaar gaan ze naar vliegveld Eindhoven.
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Na de onderhandelingen door de topdiplomaat Ed Kronenburg, had een Grieks militair toestel de twee mannen en een vrouw meegenomen vanuit de Libische hoofdstad Tripoli.
Aan boord waren ook de Griekse onderminister Dimitris Dollis van Buitenlandse Zaken en een aantal Grieken die vanuit Libië in veiligheid werden gebracht.
........

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