Britain to send officers to advise Libyan rebels

Libyan rebels flash the V-sign as they head to the frontline in Ajdabiya Britain is sending military officers to help Libyan rebels improve their organisation, communications and logistics, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Tuesday. William Hague said the "military liaison advisory team" would advise the opposition fighters on improving their organisation, communications and logistics, but they would not be involved in training or arming them.
The government had agreed to send a contingent "drawn from experienced British military officers" to reinforce the diplomatic team already in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi, he added.
He insisted the deployment was "fully within the terms" of the UN Security Council Resolution on Libya that authorised international air strikes to protect civilians from Kadhafi's forces.
The total number of British military personnel in Benghazi would be less than 20 after the new arrivals, the Foreign Office said, adding that there was already a "small team of defence advisers" working in the eastern city.
"These additional personnel will enable the UK to build on the work already being undertaken to support and advise the TNC (Transitional National Council) on how to better protect civilians," he said.
"In particular they will advise the TNC on how to improve their military organisational structures, communications and logistics, including how best to distribute humanitarian aid and deliver medical assistance."
Britain had in recent weeks decided to supply the rebels with "non-lethal assistance" to help them protect civilians, including telecommunications equipment and protective body armour, Hague added.
The UN resolution expressly forbids any foreign occupation of Libyan soil.
"Consistent with our obligations under that resolution, our officers will not be involved in training or arming the opposition?s fighting forces," the foreign secretary said.
"Nor will they be involved in the planning or execution of the TNC?s military operations or in the provision of any other form of operational military advice."
Britain bungled its first attempt to contact Libyan rebels, sending in a team of special forces by helicopter who were rounded up by lightly armed rebels soon after they arrived, according to reports at the time.
A formal delegation arrived in Benghazi on April 2, led by Britain's ambassador to Italy, Christopher Prentice, with the aim of engaging with the rebel council, according to the Foreign Office.British fighter jets bombed Kadhafi targets again on Monday as part of a NATO operation and took part in a NATO operation against Kadhafi's command structure on Monday and Tuesday.
But London has also been active in the aid effort.
International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell announced Monday that Britain would charter a ship to get 5,000 stranded migrant workers from Egypt and Bangladesh out of the besieged western city of Misrata.
Misrata is held by the opposition and has been under almost daily attack for six weeks by Kadhafi's forces. Aid groups and medical workers in the city say hundreds have died.