RAF planes in Libya desert rescue

Two RAF Hercules aircraft have rescued more than 150 civilians from desert locations south of Benghazi in Libya, Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has confirmed. Both planes then travelled to Malta, the Ministry of Defence said.

Meanwhile, the operations of the British Embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, have been temporarily suspended.

The Foreign Office said staff have been evacuated on the last Government-chartered flight which took off on Saturday for London’s Gatwick Airport with 53 British nationals on board.

Libya statement from Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox:
"I can confirm that two RAF C130 Hercules aircraft have evacuated more than 150 civilians from desert locations south of Benghazi. The first aircraft has landed in Malta and the second will arrive shortly. 

"HMS Cumberland is on her way back to Benghazi to evacuate any remaining entitled persons from there. HMS York has arrived in Valletta to take onboard stores in order that she can assist with the evacuation effort as required. 

"A number of other military assets remain available to support the FCO-led efforts to return civilians from Libya."

A Foreign Office press release added:
The planes will be met by a team of consular officials and Red Cross staff in Valletta. Once disembarked, the passengers will be given food and water and offered full consular assistance at the airport. This includes immigration processing and a medical. They will then be bussed to hotels, where they will stay overnight. They will return to the UK tomorrow or Monday on a FCO-chartered plane.

‘Signs of civil war’

The escalating unrest opens up all options including civil war and foreign intervention, the son of leader Colonel Gaddafi has said.

Saif Gaddafi, who earlier told Channel 4 News his father was in high spirits and that civil war had been averted, was speaking during a TV interview with Al Arabiya.

He said: “What the Libyan nation is going through has opened the door to all options, and now the signs of civil war and foreign interference have started.

“An agreement has to be reached because the people have no future unless they agree together on a new programme.”

Dozens hurt in new fighting

There have been reports of more violence on the coast between the cities of Sabratha and Surman, with dozens said to be severely wounded after security forces opened fire on protesters.

Poor neighbourhoods of the Libyan capital Tripoli openly defied Gaddafi’s his grip on power on Saturday. Pro-government forces reportedly abandoned the working-class Tajoura district after five days of demonstrations.

LIVE BLOG: Gaddafi losing grip on power

Residents said troops opened fire on demonstrators who tried to march from Tajoura to central Green Square, killing at least five people. A funeral on Saturday morning for one of the victims turned into another show of defiance against the regime.

“Everyone in Tajoura came out against the government. We saw them killing our people here and everywhere in Libya,” a man identifying himself as Ali told reporters.

“We will demonstrate again and again, today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow until they change.”