Egypt in Talks with Libya to Free Seized Drivers: Ministry

Egypt is in talks with Libya to secure the release of more than 20 Egyptian drivers seized by militias in the neighbouring country, the Egyptian foreign ministry said Saturday.

Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Abu Bakr is in “intense contacts with Libyan authorities and several local chieftains to secure the release of Egyptian drivers kidnapped by armed men” in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty said in remarks on the government’s website.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm published an interview with a Libyan militia chief who claimed to have captured the drivers.

Ahmed Al-Libi said he was holding 50 men and that their release was linked to the freeing of Libyans arrested in Egypt.

Libi, who spoke to the newspaper Thursday, warned that he would kill the Egyptians and kidnap more if Cairo failed to release the detained Libyans within 10 days.

It is unclear when the Egyptian drivers were captured or how many Libyans are detained in Egypt.

Thousands of Egyptians regularly travel to Libya, mostly for work.

Source: AFP