An SAS unit was being held by rebel forces in Libya, it was reported today.
Up to eight soldiers were captured as they escorted a junior British diplomat through rebel-held territory in the east of the country, the Sunday Times said.
Spokesmen for both the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office would neither confirm nor deny the report.
According to the newspaper, the SAS soldiers were taken by rebels to Benghazi, the largest city held by the opposition, where they were detained.
It is said the diplomat had intended to contact Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's opponents ahead of a visit by a senior colleague to establish diplomatic relations with the rebels.
But the SAS intervention is thought to have angered Libyan opposition figures.
