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Libya unrest: Rescued Britons flying home Libya unrest: Rescued Britons flying home
(40 minutes later)
Dozens of Britons are being flown back to the UK from Libya after the first government-chartered plane reached the crisis-hit country overnight. Dozens of Britons are being flown back to Gatwick from Libya after the first government-chartered plane reached the crisis-hit country overnight.
A plane chartered by oil companies for employees has left Tripoli, with the government flight due to follow. It is not yet clear how many are on board.A plane chartered by oil companies for employees has left Tripoli, with the government flight due to follow. It is not yet clear how many are on board.
An RAF transport plane based in Malta has also been put on standby and another is en route to the island.An RAF transport plane based in Malta has also been put on standby and another is en route to the island.
Stranded Britons have criticised the government's response to the crisis.Stranded Britons have criticised the government's response to the crisis.
On Wednesday plans to send the first government-chartered rescue flight from Gatwick were hit by delays and it did not leave the UK until 2200 GMT.On Wednesday plans to send the first government-chartered rescue flight from Gatwick were hit by delays and it did not leave the UK until 2200 GMT.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Foreign Secretary William Hague announced a review of the government's evacuation response.In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Foreign Secretary William Hague announced a review of the government's evacuation response.
"Given today's difficulties with reliably chartering private planes, I will establish a review, directly reporting to ministers, into the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office's] long-standing arrangements for aircraft evacuations," he said."Given today's difficulties with reliably chartering private planes, I will establish a review, directly reporting to ministers, into the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office's] long-standing arrangements for aircraft evacuations," he said.
"We need to know whether today was a coincidental series of unavoidable setbacks, or a systemic flaw.""We need to know whether today was a coincidental series of unavoidable setbacks, or a systemic flaw."
Mr Hague's statement came as some stranded Britons accused the government of doing nothing to help them while other countries flew their citizens home.Mr Hague's statement came as some stranded Britons accused the government of doing nothing to help them while other countries flew their citizens home.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said the government had been "slow off the mark" and said ministers should convene the emergency committee Cobra to co-ordinate the evacuation plans.Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said the government had been "slow off the mark" and said ministers should convene the emergency committee Cobra to co-ordinate the evacuation plans.
As well as a series of flights, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland is also due to arrive off the Libyan coast to help with the evacuation if needed.As well as a series of flights, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland is also due to arrive off the Libyan coast to help with the evacuation if needed.
Earlier Mr Hague had said the government would send "as many planes as necessary" to bring Britons home.Earlier Mr Hague had said the government would send "as many planes as necessary" to bring Britons home.
Mr Hague postponed a planned visit to Washington on Thursday in order to remain in London and lead the Foreign Office's response to the crisis.Mr Hague postponed a planned visit to Washington on Thursday in order to remain in London and lead the Foreign Office's response to the crisis.
The Foreign Office is being accused of being slow and ineffective in reacting to the violence and turmoil in Libya.The Foreign Office is being accused of being slow and ineffective in reacting to the violence and turmoil in Libya.
There is a Foreign Office rapid reaction team at Tripoli airport, taking names and handing out refreshments, there are consular officials on the border with Tunisia and the Royal Navy's frigate HMS Cumberland is approaching the Libyan coast with a view to helping a possible evacuation.There is a Foreign Office rapid reaction team at Tripoli airport, taking names and handing out refreshments, there are consular officials on the border with Tunisia and the Royal Navy's frigate HMS Cumberland is approaching the Libyan coast with a view to helping a possible evacuation.
What is not clear is what is being planned, if anything, to rescue those British oil workers stranded out in remote desert camps. The government says "a range of options are under consideration".What is not clear is what is being planned, if anything, to rescue those British oil workers stranded out in remote desert camps. The government says "a range of options are under consideration".
No details have been given but in extremes, there are transport planes capable of landing on very short desert landing strips, loading up, turning around and taking off again in a short space of time.No details have been given but in extremes, there are transport planes capable of landing on very short desert landing strips, loading up, turning around and taking off again in a short space of time.
Several other countries, including France, Russia and the Netherlands have already evacuated some of their citizens.Several other countries, including France, Russia and the Netherlands have already evacuated some of their citizens.
UK nationals wishing to register an interest in flights out of Libya should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45.UK nationals wishing to register an interest in flights out of Libya should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Libya.The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Libya.
Around 3,500 Britons had been living in Libya before the crisis but most of those are thought to have left in recent days.Around 3,500 Britons had been living in Libya before the crisis but most of those are thought to have left in recent days.
However, there is particular concern for some British oil workers thought to be stranded in isolated desert camps.However, there is particular concern for some British oil workers thought to be stranded in isolated desert camps.
They are struggling to make contact because the phone networks have been disrupted and their supplies of food and water from Libyan cities are running out.They are struggling to make contact because the phone networks have been disrupted and their supplies of food and water from Libyan cities are running out.
"Some we know have been subjected to attacks and looting. They are in a perilous and frightening situation," said Mr Hague."Some we know have been subjected to attacks and looting. They are in a perilous and frightening situation," said Mr Hague.
After a week of upheaval in Libya, protesters backed by defecting army units are thought to have almost the entire eastern half of Libya under their control.After a week of upheaval in Libya, protesters backed by defecting army units are thought to have almost the entire eastern half of Libya under their control.
The country's beleaguered leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 42 years, has vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" rather than leave the country.The country's beleaguered leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 42 years, has vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" rather than leave the country.
Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments.Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments.