Germany on Monday accused Turkey of&nbsp;obstructing peace in&nbsp;Libya after it prevented German forces belonging to a European Union military mission carrying out a full search of a Turkish cargo ship that they suspected of taking weapons to Libya.

Soldiers from the frigate Hamburg boarded the Turkish freighter, the Rosaline A, overnight, but had to abandon checks and withdraw after Turkey protested to the EU mission, the German defence ministry said.

<img alt="F" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0665390f-f889-421c-8a4c-faf6fdb8d10e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2820%29_13.jpg" />

In picture:&nbsp;German Navy armed personnel stand in front of the Frigate Hamburg, docked at Port Rashid/REUTERS

The frigate was operating in the Mediterranean as part of the EU's Irini mission, which aims to stop arms reaching the warring factions in Libya.

"By the time the soldiers left the ship, they had not found anything suspicious," a German defence ministry spokesman said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-greece-turkey-are-fighting-over-hydrocarbons-in-mediterranean-sea-320304">Why Greece, Turkey are fighting over hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Sea</a>

European states involved in efforts to end the conflict in Libya on Monday threatened sanctions against any parties or countries (Turkey)&nbsp;that harm the fragile peace process.

Britain, France, Germany and Italy in a joint statement urged "all Libyan and international parties to refrain from any parallel and uncoordinated initiative" that risked undermining the UN-led efforts.&nbsp;

Their statement said they were "ready to take measures against those who obstruct" the process, plunder state funds or commit rights abuses.&nbsp;

It did not name other states but Europe has in the past accused both Russia and&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;of interfering in Libya.

Moscow has been accused of backing mercenaries fighting the UN-backed Tripoli Government of National Accord (GNA) while&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;has deployed its military as well as drones to back the GNA.

The four European countries said they welcomed the roadmap agreed by the Libyan parties to pave the way to national elections scheduled for December 24 following an October ceasefire deal.

"This is an important step to restore Libya's sovereignty and the democratic legitimacy of its institutions," the statement said.

It said that the four countries shared the opposition of Libyans "to all foreign interference, and support their willingness to come together in peaceful and patriotic dialogue".

French President Emmanuel Macron has been a particularly vocal critic of&nbsp;Turkey's role in the Libya conflict, accusing it of seeking new influence in the eastern Mediterranean, in one of a number of issues that have triggered grave tensions between Paris and Ankara.

Last month's ceasefire formally ended fighting between forces of the Ankara-backed GNA and those of eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, who was long favoured by Russia.

The ceasefire aims to end years of conflict following the 2011 killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Stephanie Williams, UN acting special envoy for Libya, said last week that rival forces in Libya had failed to begin withdrawing as required under an October ceasefire agreement.

Germany on Monday accused Turkey of obstructing peace in Libya after it prevented German forces belonging to a European Union military mission carrying out a full search of a Turkish cargo ship that they suspected of taking weapons to Libya.

Germany on Monday accused Turkey of obstructing peace in Libya after it prevented German forces belonging to a European Union military mission carrying out a full search of a Turkish cargo ship that they suspected of taking weapons to Libya. Soldiers from the frigate Hamburg boarded the Turkish freighter, the Rosaline A, overnight, but had to abandon checks and withdraw after Turkey protested to the EU mission, the German defence ministry said. In picture: German Navy armed personnel stand in front of the Frigate Hamburg, docked at Port Rashid/REUTERS The frigate was operating in the Mediterranean as part of the EU's Irini mission, which aims to stop arms reaching the warring factions in Libya. "By the time the soldiers left the ship, they had not found anything suspicious," a German defence ministry spokesman said. Also read: Why Greece, Turkey are fighting over hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Sea European states involved in efforts to end the conflict in Libya on Monday threatened sanctions against any parties or countries (Turkey) that harm the fragile peace process. Britain, France, Germany and Italy in a joint statement urged "all Libyan and international parties to refrain from any parallel and uncoordinated initiative" that risked undermining the UN-led efforts. Their statement said they were "ready to take measures against those who obstruct" the process, plunder state funds or commit rights abuses. It did not name other states but Europe has in the past accused both Russia and Turkey of interfering in Libya. Moscow has been accused of backing mercenaries fighting the UN-backed Tripoli Government of National Accord (GNA) while Turkey has deployed its military as well as drones to back the GNA. The four European countries said they welcomed the roadmap agreed by the Libyan parties to pave the way to national elections scheduled for December 24 following an October ceasefire deal. "This is an important step to restore Libya's sovereignty and the democratic legitimacy of its institutions," the statement said. It said that the four countries shared the opposition of Libyans "to all foreign interference, and support their willingness to come together in peaceful and patriotic dialogue". French President Emmanuel Macron has been a particularly vocal critic of Turkey's role in the Libya conflict, accusing it of seeking new influence in the eastern Mediterranean, in one of a number of issues that have triggered grave tensions between Paris and Ankara. Last month's ceasefire formally ended fighting between forces of the Ankara-backed GNA and those of eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, who was long favoured by Russia. The ceasefire aims to end years of conflict following the 2011 killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi. Stephanie Williams, UN acting special envoy for Libya, said last week that rival forces in Libya had failed to begin withdrawing as required under an October ceasefire agreement.

Germany accuses Turkey of obstructing Libya peace

Libya has become a battleground for both local and regional aspirations, with foreign powers such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Russia jostling for influence.

Where does Libya post Gaddafi stand?

India has evacuated its entire contingent of 15 CRPF personnel from Tripoli after the situation "suddenly worsened" in Libya, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Sunday.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingent was deployed as a peacekeeping force in Tripoli.

"The situation in Libya has suddenly worsened. There is fighting in Tripoli. Indian Embassy in Tunisia @IndiainTunisia has evacuated the entire contingent of 15 CRPF personnel yesterday itself," Swaraj tweeted.

"I appreciate the excellent work by Indian Embassy in Tunisia," she said.

The Indian Ambassador in Tunisia has the concurrent charge of Libya.

"All Indians in distress in Tripoli may please contact Mr.Mehtab on +218916320278 or Mr.Mustafa on +218924201771 or +218912146640," the minister said.&nbsp;

The military conflict in Libya escalated after forces of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar launched an air strike Sunday in an area in Tripoli and the government vowed a major counteroffensive.

The United Nations has called for a two-hour truce to allow evacuations of civilians and the wounded.&nbsp;

Rivalries between Haftar and the government threaten to plunge the country into a civil war.

India has evacuated its entire contingent of 15 CRPF personnel from Tripoli after the situation "suddenly worsened" in Libya, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Sunday.

India has evacuated its entire contingent of 15 CRPF personnel from Tripoli after the situation "suddenly worsened" in Libya, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Sunday. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingent was deployed as a peacekeeping force in Tripoli. "The situation in Libya has suddenly worsened. There is fighting in Tripoli. Indian Embassy in Tunisia @IndiainTunisia has evacuated the entire contingent of 15 CRPF personnel yesterday itself," Swaraj tweeted. "I appreciate the excellent work by Indian Embassy in Tunisia," she said. The Indian Ambassador in Tunisia has the concurrent charge of Libya. "All Indians in distress in Tripoli may please contact Mr.Mehtab on +218916320278 or Mr.Mustafa on +218924201771 or +218912146640," the minister said. The military conflict in Libya escalated after forces of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar launched an air strike Sunday in an area in Tripoli and the government vowed a major counteroffensive. The United Nations has called for a two-hour truce to allow evacuations of civilians and the wounded. Rivalries between Haftar and the government threaten to plunge the country into a civil war.

India evacuates peacekeeping CRPF contingent from Libya

Russia called for calm on all sides in the Libya conflict after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-clashes-death-toll-rises-to-32-un-backed-government-208746">32 people were killed</a> in fighting with strongman Khalifa Haftar's troops near Tripoli.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was calling "on all sides to reject actions that could provoke bloodshed in battle and the deaths of civilians".

Russia's deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Moscow was in contact with all sides in the conflict.

"We talk with everyone: with the west, the east and the south," Bogdanov told news agency RIA Novosti. "We call on everyone for a political solution."&nbsp;

The clashes started on Sunday near Tripoli between pro-Haftar fighters and troops loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

The clashes came despite calls by the United Nations and the United States for an urgent ceasefire.

Libya has been riven by divisions since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival administrations and armed groups vying for power and control of the country's oil.

(With inputs from AFP)

Russia called for calm on all sides in the Libya conflict after 32 people were killed in fighting with strongman Khalifa Haftar's troops near Tripoli. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was calling "on all sides to reject actions that could provoke bloodshed in battle and the deaths of civilians".

Russia called for calm on all sides in the Libya conflict after 32 people were killed in fighting with strongman Khalifa Haftar's troops near Tripoli. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was calling "on all sides to reject actions that could provoke bloodshed in battle and the deaths of civilians". Russia's deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Moscow was in contact with all sides in the conflict. "We talk with everyone: with the west, the east and the south," Bogdanov told news agency RIA Novosti. "We call on everyone for a political solution." The clashes started on Sunday near Tripoli between pro-Haftar fighters and troops loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). The clashes came despite calls by the United Nations and the United States for an urgent ceasefire. Libya has been riven by divisions since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival administrations and armed groups vying for power and control of the country's oil. (With inputs from AFP)

Russia calls for calm on 'all sides' in Libya conflict

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/500000-children-face-immediate-danger-libya-capital-un-167439">The conflict shaking Libya</a> escalated Sunday as forces of strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an air strike on a suburb of Tripoli and the UN-backed government vowed a major counteroffensive.

The United Nations called for an urgent two-hour truce to allow evacuations of civilians and the wounded, while the unity government said the fighting had so far killed 21 people.

Rivalries between the two camps threaten to plunge the country into a full-blown civil war after Haftar on Thursday launched an offensive on Tripoli.

Oil-rich Libya has been riven by chaos since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, as rival administrations and armed groups have battled for power.

Repeated attempts to find a peaceful solution have failed.

After a pause overnight, fierce fighting flared anew on Sunday morning south of the capital between Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces backing the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

As clashes raged in the mainly farmland region of Wadi Raba and the destroyed international airport south of the capital, a spokesman for pro-GNA forces announced a counteroffensive against Haftar's forces.

Colonel Mohamed Gnounou told reporters that operation "Volcano of Anger" was aimed at "purging all Libyan cities of aggressor and illegitimate forces", in reference to Haftar's fighters.

The LNA said it had carried out its first air raid on a Tripoli suburb, defying calls by the international community to halt hostilities.

The unity government's health ministry said Sunday at least 21 people had been killed and 27 wounded since the fighting began, without specifying whether civilians were among the dead.

Haftar's force said Saturday that 14 of its personnel had been killed, while the Libyan Red Crescent reported the death of one of its doctors.

GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj warned Saturday of a "war without a winner" and said reinforcements were pouring into Tripoli to battle Haftar's forces.

Powerful armed groups from the western city of Misrata and fighters from Zintan and Zawiya -- battle-hardened militiamen who took part in the 2011 uprising against Kadhafi -- have joined the battle.

At least one armed group from Misrata, Brigade 166, arrived Saturday in eastern Tripoli to join the counteroffensive with dozens of vehicles, some mounted with anti-aircraft guns, an AFP photographer said.

"We are waiting for orders to repel any advance by the enemy towards Tripoli," said the group's spokesman Khaled Abu Jazia.

Misrata fighters ousted the Islamic State group from Libya's coastal city of Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown, in 2016 after months of fighting.

Haftar has also presented himself as the scourge of Islamist extremists, pushing hardline militias out of the eastern city of Benghazi in 2017 after a deadly three-year battle.

Sunday's LNA air raid came a day after pro-GNA forces launched their own air strikes for the first time since the offensive began, targeting at least one LNA position south of Tripoli.

'Protracted war' 
LNA spokesman Ahmed Mesmari had vowed the force would retaliate.

On Saturday he said pro-Haftar fighters were "progressing on several fronts... as planned" and that Tripoli would soon be captured.

The US military said Sunday it had temporarily pulled an unspecified number of its troops out of Libya "in response to security conditions on the ground".

Analysts say Haftar has been buoyed by a series of successful operations that have brought all of the east and much of southern Libya under his control.

A field marshal who served under Kadhafi and now backs an administration in eastern Libya opposed to the GNA, Haftar was counting on a swift battle to capture Tripoli.

But some experts say he miscalculated.

"To date, Haftar's operation has mostly failed to go according to plan, and it has now galvanised western Libyan forces against him," said analyst Wolfram Lacher.

"He now faces the prospect of a protracted war south of Tripoli, or of a decisive defeat," said Lacher, a researcher with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

As the tension mounted, Tripoli residents queued Saturday outside petrol stations and supermarkets.

UN peace efforts 
Haftar's offensive came as UN chief Antonio Guterres visited Libya Thursday days ahead of a planned UN-backed conference aimed at uniting Libya's rivals and paving the way for elections.

The UN Security Council has called on Haftar's forces to halt their advance, warning it would further destabilise Libya.

Envoy Ghassan Salame insisted Saturday the UN was "determined" to go ahead with the April 14-16 conference.

Sarraj accused Haftar of "betraying" a February deal to hold elections and create a new unity government before year's end.

Haftar is "motivated by personal interests and his own delusions" and is trying to "plunge the country into a cycle of violence", said Sarraj.

The conflict shaking Libya escalated Sunday as forces of strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an air strike on a suburb of Tripoli and the UN-backed government vowed a major counteroffensive.

The conflict shaking Libya escalated Sunday as forces of strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an air strike on a suburb of Tripoli and the UN-backed government vowed a major counteroffensive. The United Nations called for an urgent two-hour truce to allow evacuations of civilians and the wounded, while the unity government said the fighting had so far killed 21 people. Rivalries between the two camps threaten to plunge the country into a full-blown civil war after Haftar on Thursday launched an offensive on Tripoli. Oil-rich Libya has been riven by chaos since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, as rival administrations and armed groups have battled for power. Repeated attempts to find a peaceful solution have failed. After a pause overnight, fierce fighting flared anew on Sunday morning south of the capital between Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) and forces backing the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). As clashes raged in the mainly farmland region of Wadi Raba and the destroyed international airport south of the capital, a spokesman for pro-GNA forces announced a counteroffensive against Haftar's forces. Colonel Mohamed Gnounou told reporters that operation "Volcano of Anger" was aimed at "purging all Libyan cities of aggressor and illegitimate forces", in reference to Haftar's fighters. The LNA said it had carried out its first air raid on a Tripoli suburb, defying calls by the international community to halt hostilities. The unity government's health ministry said Sunday at least 21 people had been killed and 27 wounded since the fighting began, without specifying whether civilians were among the dead. Haftar's force said Saturday that 14 of its personnel had been killed, while the Libyan Red Crescent reported the death of one of its doctors. GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj warned Saturday of a "war without a winner" and said reinforcements were pouring into Tripoli to battle Haftar's forces. Powerful armed groups from the western city of Misrata and fighters from Zintan and Zawiya -- battle-hardened militiamen who took part in the 2011 uprising against Kadhafi -- have joined the battle. At least one armed group from Misrata, Brigade 166, arrived Saturday in eastern Tripoli to join the counteroffensive with dozens of vehicles, some mounted with anti-aircraft guns, an AFP photographer said. "We are waiting for orders to repel any advance by the enemy towards Tripoli," said the group's spokesman Khaled Abu Jazia. Misrata fighters ousted the Islamic State group from Libya's coastal city of Sirte, Kadhafi's hometown, in 2016 after months of fighting. Haftar has also presented himself as the scourge of Islamist extremists, pushing hardline militias out of the eastern city of Benghazi in 2017 after a deadly three-year battle. Sunday's LNA air raid came a day after pro-GNA forces launched their own air strikes for the first time since the offensive began, targeting at least one LNA position south of Tripoli. 'Protracted war' LNA spokesman Ahmed Mesmari had vowed the force would retaliate. On Saturday he said pro-Haftar fighters were "progressing on several fronts... as planned" and that Tripoli would soon be captured. The US military said Sunday it had temporarily pulled an unspecified number of its troops out of Libya "in response to security conditions on the ground". Analysts say Haftar has been buoyed by a series of successful operations that have brought all of the east and much of southern Libya under his control. A field marshal who served under Kadhafi and now backs an administration in eastern Libya opposed to the GNA, Haftar was counting on a swift battle to capture Tripoli. But some experts say he miscalculated. "To date, Haftar's operation has mostly failed to go according to plan, and it has now galvanised western Libyan forces against him," said analyst Wolfram Lacher. "He now faces the prospect of a protracted war south of Tripoli, or of a decisive defeat," said Lacher, a researcher with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. As the tension mounted, Tripoli residents queued Saturday outside petrol stations and supermarkets. UN peace efforts Haftar's offensive came as UN chief Antonio Guterres visited Libya Thursday days ahead of a planned UN-backed conference aimed at uniting Libya's rivals and paving the way for elections. The UN Security Council has called on Haftar's forces to halt their advance, warning it would further destabilise Libya. Envoy Ghassan Salame insisted Saturday the UN was "determined" to go ahead with the April 14-16 conference. Sarraj accused Haftar of "betraying" a February deal to hold elections and create a new unity government before year's end. Haftar is "motivated by personal interests and his own delusions" and is trying to "plunge the country into a cycle of violence", said Sarraj.

Escalating Libya conflict prompts international alarm

East Libyan forces have targeted rival brigades with a series of air strikes in the southern region of Jufra, officials and witnesses said on Sunday, three days after dozens of their men were killed in a surprise attack on an air base.

The escalation risks reigniting warfare in Libya&#39;s central desert regions, where forces aligned with the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.

The two sides represent the main factions in a sporadic conflict between shifting alliances that have fought for power in Libya since 2014.

A resident in Jufra said LNA air strikes had caused casualties, though the number of dead and injured was unclear.

Details of Thursday&#39;s attack on Brak Al-Shati air base, about 150 miles (240 km) south of Jufra, are still emerging. It was led by the 13th Brigade, which operates under the GNA&#39;s defence minister. He was suspended on Friday pending an investigation.

The LNA says as many as 141 were killed, some of them summarily, and has pledged a forceful response. Medical and local officials said on Friday that at least 89 had died, but that the toll was incomplete.

Human Rights Watch cited a local hospital official as saying that five corpses had arrived at a local hospital with bound arms, and that six more were disfigured in a way that suggested their heads had been run over by a vehicle.

The HRW statement on Sunday also quoted an LNA soldier as saying some civilian workers were killed, and that he witnessed nine of his comrades being executed.

&quot;As they were shooting they were shouting, &#39;You apostates, you enemies of God,&#39;&quot; the soldier was quoted as saying.

A spokesman for the 13th Brigade, also known as the Third Force, has said the raid on Brak Al-Shati base was a response to attacks against another air base that it controls to the south, and that those they attacked were armed.

&quot;We carried out a rapid, surprise attack,&quot; the spokesman, Mohamed Gliwan, told Reuters by telephone. &quot;The number of their dead was high because they were like sheep in a pen.&quot;

&quot;We do not have casualties among our fighters because there was not a military confrontation ... They did not have time to fight back.&quot;

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalation.

&quot;He is particularly disturbed by the high number of fatalities as well as reports of summary executions of civilians, which, if confirmed, may constitute war crimes,&quot; spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. &nbsp;

(Reuters)

The eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli

East Libyan forces have targeted rival brigades with a series of air strikes in the southern region of Jufra, officials and witnesses said on Sunday, three days after dozens of their men were killed in a surprise attack on an air base. The escalation risks reigniting warfare in Libya's central desert regions, where forces aligned with the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. The two sides represent the main factions in a sporadic conflict between shifting alliances that have fought for power in Libya since 2014. A resident in Jufra said LNA air strikes had caused casualties, though the number of dead and injured was unclear. Details of Thursday's attack on Brak Al-Shati air base, about 150 miles (240 km) south of Jufra, are still emerging. It was led by the 13th Brigade, which operates under the GNA's defence minister. He was suspended on Friday pending an investigation. The LNA says as many as 141 were killed, some of them summarily, and has pledged a forceful response. Medical and local officials said on Friday that at least 89 had died, but that the toll was incomplete. Human Rights Watch cited a local hospital official as saying that five corpses had arrived at a local hospital with bound arms, and that six more were disfigured in a way that suggested their heads had been run over by a vehicle. The HRW statement on Sunday also quoted an LNA soldier as saying some civilian workers were killed, and that he witnessed nine of his comrades being executed. "As they were shooting they were shouting, 'You apostates, you enemies of God,'" the soldier was quoted as saying. A spokesman for the 13th Brigade, also known as the Third Force, has said the raid on Brak Al-Shati base was a response to attacks against another air base that it controls to the south, and that those they attacked were armed. "We carried out a rapid, surprise attack," the spokesman, Mohamed Gliwan, told Reuters by telephone. "The number of their dead was high because they were like sheep in a pen." "We do not have casualties among our fighters because there was not a military confrontation ... They did not have time to fight back." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalation. "He is particularly disturbed by the high number of fatalities as well as reports of summary executions of civilians, which, if confirmed, may constitute war crimes," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. (Reuters)

East Libyan Forces launch airstrikes against rival forces after airbase attack

Three foreign nationals, including two Italians and a Canadian, were kidnapped in the conflict-torn Libya on Monday, the foreign ministries of those countries said without revealing details of the incident or the identities of the victims. 
 
Canada&#39;s foreign affairs ministry told AFP it was seeking confirmation of a kidnapping of one of its nationals in the south of conflict-torn Libya. &nbsp;&quot;We are aware of the troubling, yet unconfirmed report of the abduction of a Canadian citizen in Libya,&quot; ministry spokesman Michael O&#39;Shaughnessy said. 
 
Citing Libyan sources, the Italian press said the three worked for a ground handling company at Ghat airport near the Algerian border. &quot;The ministry has been informed of the situation and has been following up on developments from the moment it learnt of the case. We are working with the maximum caution, bearing in mind how delicate the situation is,&quot; a ministry spokesman told AFP. 
 
Several Italian companies work in Libya, a former Italian colony, and their expat staff have often fallen prey to kidnappers in recent years. 
 
In July 2015, four Italians working for a construction company were kidnapped near an oil field operated by Italian company ENI in the region of Mellitah, west of Tripoli. 
 
Two of the hostages were killed after six months most likely in clashes between Islamic State (IS) jihadists and local militiamen. The other two were freed in March this year, in a raid on IS group hideouts near the capital. 
 
Chaos has engulfed Libya since the NATO-backed ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The government has struggled to control the powerful militia groups which operate in the region and there have been concerns over the growing influence of the Islamist State in the region.

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
 
 
&nbsp;

The foreign citizens are believed to have been working for a ground handling company

Three foreign nationals, including two Italians and a Canadian, were kidnapped in the conflict-torn Libya on Monday, the foreign ministries of those countries said without revealing details of the incident or the identities of the victims. Canada's foreign affairs ministry told AFP it was seeking confirmation of a kidnapping of one of its nationals in the south of conflict-torn Libya. "We are aware of the troubling, yet unconfirmed report of the abduction of a Canadian citizen in Libya," ministry spokesman Michael O'Shaughnessy said. Citing Libyan sources, the Italian press said the three worked for a ground handling company at Ghat airport near the Algerian border. "The ministry has been informed of the situation and has been following up on developments from the moment it learnt of the case. We are working with the maximum caution, bearing in mind how delicate the situation is," a ministry spokesman told AFP. Several Italian companies work in Libya, a former Italian colony, and their expat staff have often fallen prey to kidnappers in recent years. In July 2015, four Italians working for a construction company were kidnapped near an oil field operated by Italian company ENI in the region of Mellitah, west of Tripoli. Two of the hostages were killed after six months most likely in clashes between Islamic State (IS) jihadists and local militiamen. The other two were freed in March this year, in a raid on IS group hideouts near the capital. Chaos has engulfed Libya since the NATO-backed ouster of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The government has struggled to control the powerful militia groups which operate in the region and there have been concerns over the growing influence of the Islamist State in the region. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Three foreign nationals kidnapped in Libya

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