THE training of Libyan soldiers at a British barracks has been scrapped after
five of them were charged with sex attacks.
More than 300 cadets are being sent home in the coming days.
Moktar Ali Saad Mahmoud, 33, and Ibrahim Abogutila, 22, appeared before JPs
yesterday accused of raping a man in a park near Bassingbourn Barracks,
Cambridgeshire.
Naji El Maarfi, 20, Mohammed Abdalsalam, 27, and Khaled El Azibi, 18 — also
based at Bassingbourn — appeared at Cambridge crown court charged with
groping three women on a night out.
All five have been remanded in custody.
Rookie Libyan recruits have been undergoing infantry training at the base
since the summer and had been banned from leaving barracks.
Andrew Lansley, Tory MP for South Cambridgeshire, said: “I was supportive of
this as a good use of the base, and to contribute to Libya’s development.
“So it is with regret I must say it has not worked as we had hoped.”
The PM’s spokesman confirmed Libyan soldiers would no longer be training in
Britain.