Scores of Egyptians taken hostage in Libya

Armed Libyans have abducted150 Egyptian drivers who were on their way home, along with their trucks, adding to a growing trend of similar attacks, according to Egypt's state-run Al Ahram newspaper. Saturday's kidnapping was to protest a life sentence handed by Egyptian authorities to a Libyan smuggler, the paper reported. The drivers are being held in Libya’s Ajdabiya district, Omran Ambewa, member of Al-Qanashat tribe - a tribe with presence in both Egypt and Libya-, told the news service. This comes days after Egyptian authorities slammed Libyan Salama Mohamed Salama with 25 years in prison after he was caught smuggling weapons through the Libyan-Egyptian border. Negiotations between the armed Libyans, military intelligence and tribal chieftains are currently underway to release the Egyptian drivers and their trucks, Al Ahram said. A series of recent attacks against Egyptians on Libyan soil has begetted authorities in Cairo to repeatedly warned citizens against travelling to destabilised Libya, but better living conditions and more job opportunities lure many to overlook the dangers. In January, five Egyptian diplomats were kidnapped by militants in retaliation for Egyptian authorities arresting a Libyan rebellion commander in Cairo. They were released as part of a swap. In February, seven Egyptian Coptic Christians were found dead on a beach 30 kilometres west of Benghazi, shot in the head and chest by unknown attackers. Libya's weak government has been struggling with many armed groups, who have contributed in the war against slain president Muammar Gaddafi, and are now vying for more autonomy a bigger share of the country's wealth.

Source: Ahram Online