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Jordanian ambassador freed after Libya kidnap Jordanian ambassador freed after Libya kidnap
(about 7 hours later)
Jordan's ambassador to Libya has been freed after being abducted by gunmen in the capital, Tripoli, last month. Jordan's ambassador to Libya has been freed after being abducted by gunmen in the capital Tripoli last month.
Fawaz al-Itan was released unharmed and was on his way home on Tuesday, Jordanian officials said. The envoy, Fawaz al-Itan, was released unharmed and was flown back to Jordan on Tuesday.
The kidnappers had reportedly demanded the release of a Libyan Islamist militant in exchange, but it is unclear whether this was granted. Meanwhile, Jordan has freed a Libyan Islamist militant jailed for life, whose release was reportedly demanded by the kidnappers.
However Jordan's foreign minister denied this had been a "prisoner exchange or deal".
Diplomats have been the targets of a number of abductions in Libya in recent months amid continuing instability.Diplomats have been the targets of a number of abductions in Libya in recent months amid continuing instability.
The central government has struggled to assert its authority over the armed groups and tribesmen who helped end Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year rule in 2011.The central government has struggled to assert its authority over the armed groups and tribesmen who helped end Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year rule in 2011.
'Doing well' 'Healthy but tired'
Mr Itan was kidnapped in the Libyan capital on 15 April when masked gunmen shot at his car, wounding the driver.Mr Itan was kidnapped in the Libyan capital on 15 April when masked gunmen shot at his car, wounding the driver.
Libyan state media quoted Jordan's Foreign Minister, Nasser Judeh, as saying he was already on his way back to his homeland after his release on Tuesday. The diplomat arrived in Amman on Tuesday and was greeted by relatives and officials.
"The ambassador is doing well and he is now making his way back to his country," Mr Judeh was quoted as saying. "They (the kidnappers) treated me in a civilised and humane manner," he told reporters after disembarking.
He gave no further details about the circumstances of the release. Observers said he looked healthy but tired.
Investigators earlier said the kidnappers had demanded the return of Mohamed Dersi, a Libyan militant who was jailed for life in 2007 for plotting to blow up an airport in Jordan.Investigators earlier said the kidnappers had demanded the return of Mohamed Dersi, a Libyan militant who was jailed for life in 2007 for plotting to blow up an airport in Jordan.
There were conflicting reports about whether this demand had been met. A Libyan foreign ministry spokesman confirmed to the BBC that Dersi had been released and was in Libya, but declined to say where he was.
The releases come days after Libyan said it had ratified an extradition accord with Jordan, AFP reports.
Most of the targets of abductions since the revolution have been Libyan officials, including senior members of the government and their families.Most of the targets of abductions since the revolution have been Libyan officials, including senior members of the government and their families.
However, in January gunmen detained six Egyptian diplomats and embassy employees for a few days following the arrest of a Libyan militia commander in Egypt.However, in January gunmen detained six Egyptian diplomats and embassy employees for a few days following the arrest of a Libyan militia commander in Egypt.
There have also been attacks on Westerners.There have also been attacks on Westerners.
In January, the bodies of a British man and a woman from New Zealand were discovered near the coastal area of Mellitah, in the west of the country, while an American teacher was shot dead in the eastern city of Benghazi in December.In January, the bodies of a British man and a woman from New Zealand were discovered near the coastal area of Mellitah, in the west of the country, while an American teacher was shot dead in the eastern city of Benghazi in December.