Colonel Gaddafi troops 'seize British mercenaries'

Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi yesterday captured 17 mercenaries among them British and French in another major setback for Libya's new rulers.

The claim by Col Gaddafi spokesman Moussa Ibrahim came amid a number of reversals on the battlefield for the National Transitional Council (NTC).

Mr Ibrahim said the group captured in Bani Walid consisted of technical experts and some 'consultative' officers.

'Most of them are French, one of them is from an Asian country that has not been identified, two [are] English people and one Qatari,' he told

Syria-based Arrai television, which has backed the ousted leader.

The British foreign ministry said it was aware of reports about the capture of mercenaries but was unable to substantiate them. The French foreign ministry said it had no information about the claim.

Nato says it has no ground troops in Libya. However, Western nations have sent special forces in the past, and private security firms are reported to have aided anti-Gaddafi forces in training and leadership.

Loyalist troops yesterday beat back repeated assaults by NTC forces in Bani Walid and resisted a number of attempts to seize Col Gaddafi's home city of Sirte.

NTC fighters have been seen fleeing in disarray, leaving the leadership, still based in the eastern city of Benghazi, to face questions about its ability to govern a country divided on tribal lines.