Kidnappers of Jordanian ambassador still unidentified — Libyan official

AMMAN — Libyan authorities are still investigating the kidnapping of Jordanian ambassador in Tripoli Fawaz Aitan, a Libyan official said Tuesday afternoon.

Said Lassoued, the foreign ministry’s spokesperson told The Jordan Times over the phone that the identity of the kidnappers still unknown.

“Concerned authorities are following up closely on the issue, but no information so far about the kidnappers”, adding that the gunmen shot at the car of the Jordanian diplomat and wounded his driver.

Lassoued said Aitan convoy was attacked at 8:00am (Libya Time) by a group of hooded men who were in two different cars. The ambassador was heading to work.

He added that the driver was undergoing a surgery as he suffered wounds during the kidnapping.

“His condition is stable” the Libyan official said.

Early in the morning Jordanian authorities confirmed the kidnapping of Aitan.

Sabah Rafie, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, told The Jordan Times that authorities in Amman and Tripoli were following up on the issue, indicating that there was no information about the kidnappers as no group has announced its responsibility yet.

Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said during a Parliament session that kidnappers will be held accountable for the safety of the Jordanian diplomat, urging his immediate release.

The kidnapping of Aitan prompted Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) to cancel its Tuesday’s trip to Tripoli.

RJ said in a statement emailed to The Jordan Times that it was still considering further decisions regarding its trips to Libya. The airline operates 10 flights per week to Tripoli, four to Benghazi and two trips to Misrata.