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Footage Shows Western Troops in Libya (Video)
Armed western troops were spotted on film near the front line with Libyan rebels in Misrata, showing the first incident in which foreign forces are lending aid to the conflict.
Despite conflicting statements made by NATO that there will be “no boots on the ground” in Libya, the westerners are clearly seen in a report from Al Jazeerea television.
“Here, a group of armed foreigners, possibly British, are seen liaising with the fighters. It could be to facilitate forthcoming helicopter attacks,” said Al Jazeera’s war correspondent Tony Birtley in the video.
There were around five men wearing tan-colored clothes and military caps. One of the more visible men wore a pink, short-sleeve shirt. Al Jazeera, in the report, said that the men fled quickly to their vehicle when they were spotted by cameras.
The men were filmed by the television station last week, which noted that French and British attack Apache helicopters are heading to the embattled North African country to join the two-month-long NATO campaign.
A number of reports have emerged during the Libyan conflict that special forces soldiers deployed by NATO powers have been seen talking with rebels to help target Gadhafi’s forces and command centers.
The report was aired as South African President Jacob Zuma visited Tripoli, saying that Gadhafi is on the verge of a ceasefire with rebel forces, according to media reports.
{etRelated 56971}Reuters reported that five Libyan generals and three officers defected to Italy. Another 100 or so army members also defected in what appears to be a major blow against Gahdafi’s regime.
According to the news agency, they defected because Gadhafi’s actions were responsible for the deaths of Libyan civilians and violence toward women.
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