Over 50 Egyptian drivers held in Libya

Over 50 Egyptian truck drivers are being held in the Libyan town of Ajdabiya by relatives of Libyan detainees in Egypt, calling for their release, state-owned MENA reported.

The Libyan Interior Ministry’s spokesperson denied reports that the drivers were “kidnapped,” clarifying that the trucks are just being held on the Tobruk–Ajdabiya Road.

The spokesperson said that trucks carrying produce and other food are moving on Libyan highways, but that only trucks carrying building material were held.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said it is following up with the situation, according to statements by its spokesperson Badr Abdel Aaty, adding that it is coordinating with relevant Egyptian authorities who are in touch with their Libyan counterparts.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated warnings to Egyptian citizens against traveling to Libya, unless in emergencies in which case citizens are urged to travel by plane after acquiring a valid entry visa.

It also urged Egyptian citizens in Libya to be cautious in light of “the unstable security and political situation in Libya.”

In January, four staff members from the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli were kidnapped in retaliation for the arrest of the chairman of the Operation Room of Libya's Revolutionaries in Alexandria.

In addition to the recent spate of kidnappings, there has also been a series of deadly attacks on Egyptians in Libya.

In February, seven Christian Egyptians were shot dead in Benghazi. The victims were found handcuffed, with bullet wounds to the head and chest.