Gadhafi regime targeted British figures?

LONDON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- British intelligence services disrupted a plot by the Libyan government of Moammar Gadhafi to assassinate rebel and Western figures, a probe found.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague revealed this week government intelligence services uncovered a plot to assassinate a key leader in the interim Transitional National Council and its international backers during the early stages of the war, London newspaper The Independent reported.

Among the targets, the newspaper notes, was British Col. Nick Kitson, who was involved on the ground in Benghazi with logistical operations with Libyan rebel forces.

Kitson was also tasked with setting up liaisons with NATO, which led the international military intervention into Libya that eventually left Gadhafi dead.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 authorized military force in Libya to protect civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Gadhafi. The resolution contained language that prohibited occupation forces, however.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague in April said the government was sending a team of British military officers to Libya to advise the rebel-backed transitional council on military structure, logistics and communications, disputing allegations London had military forces on the ground.

The NATO-led intervention end Oct. 31, days after Gadhafi died after falling into rebel hands.