LIBYA RELEASES DETAINED US MILITARY STAFFS

Washington, 26 Shafar 1435/29 December 2013 (MINA) – The Libyan authorities released four American military staff after two hours of detention, an official in the US administration said on Friday.

The American official gave no more details about the detention, the release or their whereabouts. No information was given about why they were detained.

The New York Times said that the American Defence Department was in continuous contact with the Libyan authorities as soon as they knew the American staff had been detained. Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The American newspaper reported anonymous US officials saying that the detained American staff are military attachés in the American embassy in Tripoli.

It is said that they might have been on a reconnaissance mission to find a safe exit for US embassy diplomatic staff to be used in the future when they are in danger.

The US consulate in Benghazi was stormed in September 2012 and the US ambassador to Libya, along with other three Americans, was killed. In November of the same year an American teacher was shot dead in Benghazi.

Photographs of two American passports and embassy identificaiton cards were circulated on Twitter, purportedly in relation to the detentions.

“We can confirm that four US military personnel are currently being held in Libyan government custody,” said Jen Psaki, State Department spokesperson, before the release.

“We are seeking to further ascertain the facts and ensure their release. We are in touch with Libyan officials on this issue.” (T/P012/P04).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)