Britain's defense secretary says a small British diplomatic team is in eastern Libya to try to talk to rebels there.
Liam Fox told BBC radio Sunday that Britain was in touch with a small diplomatic team in Benghazi, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further.
The Sunday Times newspaper reported that Libyan rebels had captured as many as eight British special forces soldiers and a junior diplomat in the east of the country,
The Times said the unit was on a covert mission to put the diplomat in touch with rebel leaders. Fox declined to comment on the report.
The newspaper said the rebels were angered by the presence of foreign troops on Libyan soil because they fear Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi could use the presence of western forces in the country to rally patriotic support for his regime.
The Times said the Britons were taken to the rebel stronghold city of Benghazi to be questioned.
Liam Fox told BBC radio Sunday that Britain was in touch with a small diplomatic team in Benghazi, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further.
The Sunday Times newspaper reported that Libyan rebels had captured as many as eight British special forces soldiers and a junior diplomat in the east of the country,
The Times said the unit was on a covert mission to put the diplomat in touch with rebel leaders. Fox declined to comment on the report.
The newspaper said the rebels were angered by the presence of foreign troops on Libyan soil because they fear Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi could use the presence of western forces in the country to rally patriotic support for his regime.
The Times said the Britons were taken to the rebel stronghold city of Benghazi to be questioned.