SAS training Libya, paper claims

Tripoli, 12 Sept-(ANA)-An elite unit of the British Army (SAS) has been training Libyan special forces in counter-terrorism techniques, a newspaper claims.

The UK Daily Telegraph reports that a team of up to 14 men have been providing training in areas including covert surveillance for six months.

An SAS source quoted by the paper suggests a possible link between the training and the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi.

A Foreign Office spokesman said the suggestion of such a link was untrue.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on special forces activities, and neither confirmed nor denied the Telegraph's report.

But defence sources said that if they were to undertake such training it would be for regular forces only.(ANA)

FA/ANA/12 September 2009---