THE LIBYAN EMBASSY in Knightbridge has been occupied by campaigners against the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.


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Several campaigners got onto the embassy’s roof in the early hours of this morning and reports say that five of them have found a way into the building.

Two others were caught and arrested by the police.

“There are up to five people up there,” said a Metropolitan Police spokesperson.

“We are speaking to them to try to ensure a safe resolution. They removed a flag from the flagpole and attempted to replace it with another.”

The significance of the flag swap is that the one used by the protesters featuring red, black and green stripes dates from before Gaddafi’s 42 year-old regime.

Today’s occupation is the second time since the Libyan rebellion that the London embassy has been targeted by demonstrators. Other anti-Gaddafi protesters are still occupying an £11M Hampstead house owned by the Gadaffi family.

In Libya itself, reports suggest that forces loyal to Gadaffi are gradually closing in on Benhgazi, the country’s second city and the main rebel stronghold.