Bassingbourn Troops Return To Libya After Alleged Sex Attacks

4 November 2014, 08:19 | Updated: 4 November 2014, 08:56

The Ministry of Defence have confirmed all troops based at Bassingbourn Barracks are returning to Libya in the next few days, after two of the soldiers are charged with raping a man in Cambridge.

33 year old Moktar Mahmoud, and 22 year old Ibrahim Abogutila, both based at Bassingbourn are due to appear in court this morning, to answer the charges, about an attack on the 26th October.

Another three Libyan Soldiers based at the same barracks have also been charged in relation to sex attacks on women on the same day.

An MoD spokesperson said: "As part of our pledge at last year's G8 summit the UK has been providing a challenging training programme to Libyan troops since late June. The majority of recruits have responded positively to the training despite the ongoing political uncertainty in Libya but there have been disciplinary issues.

"Training was initially expected to last until the end of November but we have agreed with the Libyan Government that it is best for all involved to bring forward the training completion date.  The recruits will be returning to Libya in the coming days.

"The UK remains committed to supporting the Libyan government as it works to establish stability and security across the country. The immediate priority must be agreement to a political settlement and the Prime Minister's Special Envoy to Libya, Jonathan Powell, is playing an active role in support of that process.

"And as part of our ongoing support for the Libyan Government, we will review how best to train Libyan security forces - including whether training further tranches of recruits in the UK is the best way forward."