By Callum Paton.
Tripoli, 7 February 2014:
The two Italian construction . . .[restrict]workers kidnapped three weeks ago near Derna have been released.
A source close to Derna Local Council confirmed to the Libya Herald that the two Italians, Francesco Scalise and Luciano Gallo, were returned to the authorities today although the circumstances of their release had not been disclosed. They were immediately flown to Rome on a chartered Falcon 900.
The two were kidnapped near the town of Matouba, 25 kilometres from Derna on 18 January. They had been working with a construction company, General World, for five months on a road building project.
“I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the men and women of the Foreign Ministry and other institutions that have enabled it to reach a favorable outcome of the story in a difficult environment,” said Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino on hearing the news. [/restrict]