Kidnappers Of Egyptian Diplomats Demand Release Of Libyan Leader

The Libyans responsible for kidnapping five Egyptian diplomats said on Saturday that they would hold the envoys until Egypt releases the group’s leader.

The five diplomats, included the Egyptian administrative and cultural attachés, were abducted in Libya on Friday by unknown gunmen

Speaking to Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV channel on Saturday night, the kidnappers demanded the release of the head of the Libyan Revolutionary Operations Chamber Abu Obeida El-Zawy.

They gave Egypt 24 hours to release him.

El-Zawy, who is allegedly responsible for the kidnapping of Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan last October, was arrested in Alexandria on Friday.

Al-Arabiya also spoke to the kidnapped Egyptians, who pleaded for Egypt to release El-Zawy.

On Saturday, Egypt evacuated its diplomats from Libya.

The Libyan General National Congress (GNC), which is drafting a new Libyan constitution, has demanded Egyptian authorities release El-Zawy immediately.

Source : Ahram