Libyan regime releases 3 captured Dutch marines

ATHENS, Greece - Three Dutch marines who were captured after a botched evacuation mission in Libya last month will leave Tripoli for Athens under a deal reached with the Libyan government Thursday, a Greek official said.

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A Greek military transport landed in Tripoli to pick up the marines and was expected to leave soon, the Greek Defense Ministry official said.

He said the handover was agreed during a meeting in Athens between Libyan envoy Mohamed Tahir Siala and Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Dollis. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the issue.

The Dutch troops and their helicopter were seized Feb. 27 by armed forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi after landing near Sirte, Libya, to help evacuate people from the country as a rebellion against the longtime leader's rule gained steam.

Qaddafi has warned the U.S. and other Western powers not to intervene in the chaos enveloping his country. He vowed to turn Libya into "another Vietnam," and said any foreign troops coming into his country "will be entering hell and they will drown in blood."

The marines' identities have not been released.

Footage aired by Libyan state TV last week purported to show two of the marines, a man and a woman, as well as their Lynx helicopter, weapons and other equipment. But Dutch officials have refused to confirm details.