{"id":435925,"date":"2011-06-04T18:01:45","date_gmt":"2011-06-04T18:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/06\/04\/uk-foreign-secretary-in-libya-visit\/"},"modified":"2011-06-04T18:01:45","modified_gmt":"2011-06-04T18:01:45","slug":"uk-foreign-secretary-in-libya-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/06\/04\/uk-foreign-secretary-in-libya-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"UK foreign secretary in Libya visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

4 June 2011<\/span> Last updated at<\/span> 14:01 ET<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
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The BBC’s Jon Williams in Benghazi reports on William Hague’s visit to Libya<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The foreign secretary has used a trip to rebel-held Benghazi to discuss a political roadmap for the future with Libya’s National Transitional Council.<\/p>\n

William Hague and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell held talks with the NTC’s head Mustafa Abdul Jalil.<\/p>\n

They also visited a medical centre, met citizens of Benghazi and laid a wreath at Commonwealth War Graves.<\/p>\n

UK Apache attack helicopters have also been used in Libya for the first time.<\/p>\n

They attacked and destroyed two military installations, a radar site and an armed checkpoint near Brega, the Captain of HMS Ocean told the BBC.<\/p>\n

The Apaches are understood to have faced incoming fire.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Nato extended its mission in Libya by 90 days.<\/p>\n

Talks in Benghazi were focussed on recent progress against Col Gaddafi and UK assistance to help meet the Libyan people’s humanitarian needs.<\/p>\n

Earlier, Mr Hague said he was in Benghazi for “one principal reason – to show our support for the Libyan people and for the National Transitional Council, the legitimate representative of the Libyan people”.<\/p>\n

He said the visit was “part of a co-ordinated and strategic approach to Libya – ensuring that our military, diplomatic and development actions are aligned”.<\/p>\n

“The UK is committed to this task. Col Gaddafi is isolated internationally and domestically. He has lost all legitimacy, continues to abuse human rights without mercy or compunction. He must go,” he said.<\/p>\n

Ahead of his arrival, Mr Mitchell announced new UK support for the clearance of mines in Misrata, Benghazi and other affected areas to help ensure the safety of 200,000 people.<\/p>\n

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Apache pilot: “We’re pleased that it was mission success”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Of the 4,000 wounded persons that have been treated in Misrata alone so far, more than 400 have reportedly required limb amputations, according to the Foreign Office.<\/p>\n

The ministers also met UK and international humanitarian and stabilisation teams for an update on the situation on the ground.<\/p>\n

The UK office in Benghazi is now the largest in North Africa after Cairo.<\/p>\n

Communications equipment, bullet-proof vests and uniforms have also been provided to the civilian police authorities.<\/p>\n

The BBC’s Jon Williams, in Benghazi, said the timing of the visit and the helicopter attacks would not be lost on Mr Hague and the NTC.<\/p>\n

“The strikes that we saw earlier on today, on Brega, are quite significant, in terms of what David Cameron described as, “turning up the heat on Colonel Gaddafi,” he said.<\/p>\n

As well as the Apaches, French Gazelle helicopters also took part in simultaneous attacks on different targets in Libya for the first time.<\/p>\n

Maj Gen Nick Pope, the chief of the defence staff’s strategic communications officer, said: “Hellfire missiles and 30mm cannon were used to destroy the targets. The helicopters then returned safely to HMS Ocean.”<\/p>\n

Missile risk<\/span><\/p>\n

Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the attack helicopter was “yet another potent and formidable aircraft type which has now been added to the Nato forces engaged on this operation”, while the former head of the Army, Lord Dannatt, said the move has an “inevitable intensification”.<\/p>\n

The decision to send four Army Air Corps Apache helicopters to Libya was made by Prime Minister David Cameron on 27 May.<\/p>\n

Their deployment via HMS Ocean means there should be less chance of civilian casualties in operations that previously relied on the use of Tornado and Typhoon aircraft.<\/p>\n

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Apache AH Mk1<\/h2>\n