Libya regrets abduction of Jordanian envoy

Libyan interim prime minister Abdullah al-Thanni onTuesday expressed his deep regret over the abduction of Jordanian ambassador inTripoli Fawaz al-Etan and said Libyan authorities were trying to secure his release. Libya’s foreign ministry earlier said that several masked gunmen in two carskidnapped al-Etan after firing at his car, injuring his driver. The Jordanian foreignministry said it was following the incident closely with the Libyan authorities.In a telephone call with Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, al-Thanni said hisgovernment was in an open emergency meeting and that Libyan authorities weredoing their utmost to secure the release of the ambassador. Al-Thanni expressed Libya’s solidarity with the Jordanian people and theambassador’s family, commending the “deep brotherly” ties and Jordan’s support ofLibya.Ensour said during the telephone conversation that Jordan had stood by the side of“the brotherly people of Libya” to achieve security and prosperity in the country.He called for joint efforts by the concerned authorities in both countries to securethe freedom of the ambassador, which, he said, is a top priority for the Jordaniangovernment and its agencies.