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Written by Reuters -
Freed fishermen.
A group of 18 seized by Libyan patrol boats in September while fishing in the Mediterranean were freed by authorities in eastern Libya, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said.
The sailors, including Italian and Tunisian nationals, were accused by local authorities of operating in Libya territorial waters. Italy disputed this.
“Our sailors are free,” Di Maio said in a post on Facebook after he and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte flew to Benghazi for talks with military commander Khalifa Haftar, who holds sway in eastern Libya.
The prolonged imprisonment of the group became a political embarrassment for Italy’s government, with critics accusing ministers of failing to stand up to Haftar.
Fishermen detained in eastern Libya have been freed : Italy - Region - World ahram.org.eg - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ahram.org.eg Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Reuters Staff
1 Min Read
ROME, Dec 17 (Reuters) - A group of 18 sailors who were seized by Libyan patrol boats in September while fishing in the Mediterranean, have been freed by authorities in eastern Libya, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday.
The prolonged imprisonment of the group had become a political embarrassment for Italy’s government, with critics accusing ministers of failing to stand up to Khalifa Haftar, the military commander who holds sway in eastern Libya.
The sailors, including Italian and Tunisian nationals, were accused of operating in Libya’s territorial waters. Italy disputed this.
“Our sailors are free,” Di Maio said in a post on Facebook shortly after he and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte flew to Benghazi for talks with Haftar.
Fishermen detained in eastern Libya have been freed - Italy netscape.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from netscape.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.