The Italians, Danilo Calonego, 66, and Bruno Cacace, 56, and Canadian Frank Poccia were freed during the night "due to the effective cooperation with local Libyan authorities," it said in a statement. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi praised Libyan security forces and expressed his "sincere gratitude for the solidarity" shown by several mayors in the south of Libya. Several Italian companies are present in Libya, a former colony, and their expatriate staff have often fallen prey to kidnappers in recent years. Two of the hostages were killed more than six months into their ordeal, likely in clashes between militants and local militiamen. The other two were freed in March this year, in a raid on Islamic State group hideouts near the capital.

Source: Libya Today November 05, 2016 20:27 UTC