THE GUARDIAN: RAF Hercules fly more than 150 oil workers to Malta – but up to 500 still stranded in compoundsMore than 150 workers were dramatically rescued from the Libyan desert as two RAF Hercules aircraft – backed by the SAS – pulled off a high-risk evacuation of British and other citizens.
As world leaders united to demand that Muammar Gaddafi face the full consequences of what Barack Obama called the "brutalisation" of his people, the defence secretary, Liam Fox, confirmed that the rescue had been a success, so far.
It is believed that units of British special forces secured runways to allow the Hercules aircraft to land safely.
A statement from the Foreign Office said that the rescued workers had been met by consular officials and Red Cross staff when they landed in the Maltese capital, Valletta. "Once disembarked, the passengers will be given food and water and offered full consular assistance," a Foreign Office spokesman said. "This includes immigration processing and a medical. They will then be bussed to hotels, where they will stay overnight." >>> Toby Helm and Mark Townsend in London and Paul Harris in New York | Saturday, February 26, 2011
