I simply cannot believe "the desert is like a sea, follow its rules, otherwise it will swallow you up". These expedtions appear to be are a mix of seasoned and well prepared groups of "several" individuals. Even assuming the leader of a group makes a wrong decision of their GPS reading and bearing, there should be at leat 2 others in the group cross checking.

The myth that a desert can "swallow" a group of individuals is simply ludicrous in today's world of GPS, cartography and excellent authors of vast experience. Particularly when you consider that if they were lossed, one or other would surely have some contact to the outside world, through Sat phone or EPIRB.

My concern here is the proximity which the groups all went to the Libyian border. With the hightened tensions in the Western & Islamic world over the recent Iraq conflict, one can only assume the horrfic thought that they are at the hand of a "religoulsy motivated" group.

I know these individuals are not British, but where is our national reporting and intervention by our goverment. 33 persons is more then the British have lossed in the name of "freeing a poplution" from a dictator. Why is it that persons who seek the liberty and realisation of what life has to offer in terms of travelling the world are simply, in western terms, "swallowed up by insignificance".

The reason I am so passionate is that myself, my wife and another overland Landy were due to be in this area at this time. Thankfully for us our expeditions were delayed. But I shiver at the thought that had we been there, so little action would have been taken.

Surely, there is something we can do to get more action and searches underway. Is there not an organisation that can be employed to undertake independent, impartial searches?

Whatever the cost, are there not enough of us here on-line to contribute to such a cause with the hope that we can at least offer a hope to these 31 or 33 "people" be they lossed, kinapped or immobilised?

It is simply terrible to sit here and feel so useless. I for one would willing give something to help, even be it be for a selfish reason that I hope others would do the same should the same fate befall us on our expedition. I fear that if we do not this epsisode shall tarnish others that which other shall dream of seeking in years to come. We cannot stop the world of politics and religion, but surely we can help to safeguard our fellow travllers in their hour of need?

Regards as always

David