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24 February 2011
Last updated at 02:21 ET
Dozens of Britons are being flown back to the UK as the government begins its evacuation of people stranded amid continued unrest in Libya.
A plane chartered by oil companies for employees has arrived at Gatwick, with a government flight due to follow. Some 120 people were on the first flight.
The BBC has also learned a unit of British Special Forces is on standby to assist in a possible rescue of Britons.
Stranded Britons have criticised the government's response to the crisis.
In addition to the delayed government-chartered flight that eventually reached crisis-hit Libya overnight, an RAF Hercules C130 aircraft has arrived from Malta to collect British nationals and a second military plane is on standby if needed.
The Foreign Office said "a number of additional planes" could be sent to Libya throughout the day.
The British Red Cross has deployed a team of volunteers to Gatwick airport to provide support to Britons being evacuated.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Foreign Secretary William Hague announced a review of the government's evacuation response.
"Given today's difficulties with reliably chartering private planes, I will establish a review, directly reporting to ministers, into the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office's] long-standing arrangements for aircraft evacuations," he said.
"We need to know whether today was a coincidental series of unavoidable setbacks, or a systemic flaw."
Mr Hague's statement came after some stranded Britons had accused the government of doing nothing to help them while other countries flew their citizens home.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander has said the government was "slow off the mark" and said ministers should convene the emergency committee Cobra to co-ordinate the evacuation plans.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said an SAS contingent has been put on standby for emergency deployment to parts of Libya, backed up by paratroopers of the Special Forces Support Group.
Our correspondent said: "With the situation for some British nationals in Libya fast deteriorating, it's part of a range of options being considered by the government to rescue those stranded in the North African country.
"Exact numbers and the locations of any staging areas are being kept secret but it's a scenario that British Special Forces have trained hard for - landing in the midst of a dangerous and chaotic situation then securing the safe passage out of stranded Britons, all hopefully without a shot being fired."
As well as a series of flights, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland is also due to arrive off the Libyan coast to help with the evacuation if needed.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
Earlier Mr Hague had said the government would send "as many planes as necessary" to bring Britons home.
Mr Hague postponed a planned visit to Washington on Thursday in order to remain in London and lead the Foreign Office's response to the crisis.
Several other countries, including France, Russia and the Netherlands have already evacuated some of their citizens.
UK nationals wishing to register an interest in flights out of Libya should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Libya.
Around 3,500 Britons had been living in Libya before the crisis but most of those are thought to have left in recent days.
However, there is particular concern for some British oil workers thought to be stranded in isolated desert camps.
They are struggling to make contact because the phone networks have been disrupted and their supplies of food and water from Libyan cities are running out.
"Some we know have been subjected to attacks and looting. They are in a perilous and frightening situation," said Mr Hague.
After a week of upheaval in Libya, protesters backed by defecting army units are thought to have almost the entire eastern half of Libya under their control.
The country's beleaguered leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 42 years, has vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" rather than leave the country.
Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments.
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A plane chartered by oil companies for employees has arrived at Gatwick, with a government flight due to follow. Some 120 people were on the first flight.
The BBC has also learned a unit of British Special Forces is on standby to assist in a possible rescue of Britons.
Stranded Britons have criticised the government's response to the crisis.
In addition to the delayed government-chartered flight that eventually reached crisis-hit Libya overnight, an RAF Hercules C130 aircraft has arrived from Malta to collect British nationals and a second military plane is on standby if needed.
The Foreign Office said "a number of additional planes" could be sent to Libya throughout the day.
The British Red Cross has deployed a team of volunteers to Gatwick airport to provide support to Britons being evacuated.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Foreign Secretary William Hague announced a review of the government's evacuation response.
"Given today's difficulties with reliably chartering private planes, I will establish a review, directly reporting to ministers, into the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office's] long-standing arrangements for aircraft evacuations," he said.
"We need to know whether today was a coincidental series of unavoidable setbacks, or a systemic flaw."
Mr Hague's statement came after some stranded Britons had accused the government of doing nothing to help them while other countries flew their citizens home.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander has said the government was "slow off the mark" and said ministers should convene the emergency committee Cobra to co-ordinate the evacuation plans.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said an SAS contingent has been put on standby for emergency deployment to parts of Libya, backed up by paratroopers of the Special Forces Support Group.
Our correspondent said: "With the situation for some British nationals in Libya fast deteriorating, it's part of a range of options being considered by the government to rescue those stranded in the North African country.
"Exact numbers and the locations of any staging areas are being kept secret but it's a scenario that British Special Forces have trained hard for - landing in the midst of a dangerous and chaotic situation then securing the safe passage out of stranded Britons, all hopefully without a shot being fired."
As well as a series of flights, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland is also due to arrive off the Libyan coast to help with the evacuation if needed.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
They are in a perilous and frightening situation”
End Quote
William Hague
Foreign secretary
Earlier Mr Hague had said the government would send "as many planes as necessary" to bring Britons home.
Mr Hague postponed a planned visit to Washington on Thursday in order to remain in London and lead the Foreign Office's response to the crisis.
Several other countries, including France, Russia and the Netherlands have already evacuated some of their citizens.
UK nationals wishing to register an interest in flights out of Libya should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Libya.
Around 3,500 Britons had been living in Libya before the crisis but most of those are thought to have left in recent days.
However, there is particular concern for some British oil workers thought to be stranded in isolated desert camps.
They are struggling to make contact because the phone networks have been disrupted and their supplies of food and water from Libyan cities are running out.
"Some we know have been subjected to attacks and looting. They are in a perilous and frightening situation," said Mr Hague.
After a week of upheaval in Libya, protesters backed by defecting army units are thought to have almost the entire eastern half of Libya under their control.
The country's beleaguered leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for 42 years, has vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood" rather than leave the country.
Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments.
Powered By WizardRSS