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SAS 'join' kidnapped Britons hunt |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 05 March 2007 |
British officials are continuing to search for five Britons missing in north-east Ethiopia amid reports of special forces involvement.
According to the Daily Mirror, a crack team of more than 60 SAS troops have been sent to neighbouring Djibouti in readiness to launch a "storm" operation to rescue the Britons.
Those missing are staff at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa and some of their relatives.
The Britons disappeared along with their 13 Ethiopian drivers and guides four days ago in the inhospitable Afar region, where they were being taken on a tour.
A ten-strong team of British officials, reportedly including a senior hostage negotiator, arrived in the African country on Saturday and are attempting to secure the British nationals' release.
A Foreign Office spokesman said that there was no new information and declined to comment on the reports of special forces involvement in any rescue effort.
Ethiopia initially pointed the finger for the apparent kidnap at Eritrean soldiers but the Eritrean government has dismissed these reports.
The Afar depression, also known as the Danakil depression, is one of the lowest points in Africa, situated 500 miles north-east of Addis Ababa.
Despite the presence of separatist militants it is a popular region for adventure tourists.
A statement issued by foreign secretary Margaret Beckett on Friday said the British government would be liaising with its Ethiopian counterpart to "ensure that the situation is resolved peacefully".
"At this time our thoughts are very much with the family members of our staff and the other nationals in what will be a very difficult and traumatic time. We are in close touch with the family members of our staff," she added.
The Foreign Office has advised British nationals against all travel to the Afar and Danakil regions. |
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