Libya's recent kidnapping linked to Al-Qaeda

The Libyan National Army’s spokesperson, Ahmed al-Mismari, said on Tuesday that a recent kidnapping of three foreigners in Libya bore the marks of an al-Qaeda operation.

Two Italians and a Canadian were kidnapped near the southwestern Libyan town of Ghat on Monday, all of whom were working on airport projects, according to the town’s mayor Gomani Mohamed Saleh.

“A terrorist group or a criminal gang – even though this kidnapping bears the marks of al-Qaeda – on Sunday, kidnapped two Italians and one Canadian working in Ghat city airport which is located around 20 km north of the city. The foreigners were on a plane from Tripoli to Ghat, and after arriving, they were captured. Unidentified assailants removed their driver from the car and kidnapped the foreigners who were on this plane,” said Saleh.

The Italian foreign ministry confirmed late on Monday that two of its citizens had been abducted in the Libyan desert, without giving further details.