A Greek C-130 military cargo plane has already landed in Tripoli and awaits the arrival of the three marines, two men and a woman, the official said. "Estimated arrival time in Athens is 2.30 am local time," he said.
The marines were arrested while trying to evacuate European citizens after their helicopter landed near Sirte, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi home town on the Mediterranean coast.
Their release was announced earlier on Thursday by Gaddafi`s most prominent son, Saif al-Islam.
"Today we are going to hand over the Dutch soldiers to the Maltese and Greeks," he told Reuters.
"We told them, don`t come back again without our permission.
We captured the first NATO soldiers, we are sending them back home. But we are still keeping their helicopter."
Tens of thousands of foreigners living and working in Libya have left the country since a rebellion against Gaddafi`s 41-year rule broke out last month, fearing for their lives and their safety. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
