Foreign relations of Libya under Muammar Gaddafi 1984, Libyan refugees in London protested against the execution of two dissidents. Libyan diplomats shot at 11 people and killed Yvonne Fletcher, a British policewoman. The incident led to the breaking off of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Libya for over a decade. Two months later, Gaddafi asserted that he wanted his agents to assassinate dissident refugees, even if they were just on pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca—in August 1984, a Libyan plot in Mecca was thwarted by Saudi Arabian police. After the December 1985 Rome and Vienna airport attacks, which killed 19 and wounded around
1984 Libyan hostage incident envoy Terry Waite", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo" "Premier to see families of 3 held", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 15 October 1984 "Woman plea to Gaddafi", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 18 September 1984 "Morris to help", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 12 September 1984 "Desperate plea", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 3 September 1984 1984 Libyan hostage incident The Libyan hostage situation began on the morning of the murder of WPC Fletcher, 17 April 1984 and lasted until 5 February 1985 (294 days). In accordance with the hostage release agreement, reporting on the incident was restricted until the fall of Gadaffi in 2011.