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MALTA: Yesterday's rescue mission involving British special forces and two RAF Hercules planes was a start.

It is still unclear how many British oil workers were plucked from the desert. It is quite possible that the majority of those on the flights were from other nations.

But that has been one of the features of the Libyan crisis - that nations, particularly European nations - are helping whoever they find.

For British special forces yesterday it was a difficult mission deep inside Libya, but was not one of the most challenging plans that are being looked at.

One of the places they reached was an oil compound south of Benghazi, in an area that is under the loose control of groups that have turned against Gaddafi.

It was a natural destination for the C130s. The oil company operated a desert air strip. It was already laid out. British special forces contacted security staff at the company who ensured the strip was safe to land. It did not involve putting special forces on the ground before the mission.

Although the local militia was not told about the landing they had been protective towards the oil workers and had offered them food and supplies.

The British workers were told during the morning that an RAF flight was coming. They were instructed not to tell anyone, including their families back in the UK. They were brought to the landing strip about two hours before the planes landed.

One of those on board said it was "unbelievably crowded", with people crammed into the aisles.

Some of those rescued had made previous attempts to escape the country. They would not say what they had been.

In the oil-producing area there are a number of companies that operate closely together. Most workers had not felt in danger, but others said there had been looting of vehicles and robbery by young men with guns.

Although it cannot be confirmed, at one of the places which the second Hercules went to some shots were heard and the plane left more quickly than planned. It was not clear whether the shooting related to the flight.

The British government believes there are now 300 to 400 workers in remote and potentially vulnerable parts of Libya. They are uncertain of the numbers, because not everyone had registered with the embassy.

With the last officially chartered flights out of Tripoli having left, British and other nationals are being urged to go to Benghazi, where the Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland will dock again on Sunday.

The main concern relates to workers at more isolated locations, in more dangerous territory, particularly places that are not solidly under the control of one group or another.

Extracting workers from those areas is potentially much more dangerous, but European nations believe that there is a narrowing window of opportunity to ensure foreign nationals leave such a troubled country.

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