HMS Sutherland dashes to Libyan Coast
HMS Sutherland, the warship affiliated to the county, is presently cutting its way through the Mediterranean, on its way to Libya as efforts gather pace to try to find a peace deal to bring the four-month military conflict in the country to an end.
The Royal Navy Frigate will support fellow Royal Navy and NATO units which are poised and ready for immediate action off the coast of Libya.
The mission to protect the people of Libya and enforce the United Nations embargo is know as Operation Unified Protector.
Its aim is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack.
Under NATO command, HMS Sutherland will assist with enforcing the current arms embargo and help protect civilians as well as ensuring the smooth flow of vital humanitarian aid.
HMS Sutherland’s Commanding Officer, Roger Readwin, said: "We look forward to working with our NATO allies to deliver part of the Royal Navy’s contribution to this operation. My ‘fighting clan’ of highly-trained and capable sailors have been putting our systems and drills through their paces in preparation for this important mission.
"I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the families and friends of Sutherland for their continued loyal support which once again is very much appreciated."
The Libyan conflict is presently in stalemate but during the last few days opposition leaders in the country have indicated that they are now no longer ruling out the idea that Col. Gaddafi and his family could remain in Libya provided he gives up all power and abides by certain conditions.
HMS Sutherland, regarded as one of the finest examples of the Royal Navy’s multi-purpose warships, left the UK in April and since then has been involved in operations and exercises in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, including exercises with the United Arab Emirates.
