Dozens of families of Copts kidnapped in Libya protested on Monday outside the United Nations office in Cairo demanding intervention to rescue Egyptians held in Libya amid security turmoil there.
Protesters submitted a memorandum to the UN Information Center including their demands including support to help the 27 abducted Egyptians return back. They attributed the attacks to their religious backgrounds.
They raised photos of their abducted relatives as well as banners reading, “What’s the international community doing about abduction of the innocent in Libya?” among others.
Yasser Reda, deputy foreign minister, Mohamed Abu Bakr, Egyptian ambassador to Libya, as well as representatives for the kidnapped Copts met at the Foreign Ministry on Monday to follow up on diplomatic developments on communications with Libya to release the kidnapped.
Reda highlighted efforts made by the ministry and government to handle the crisis.
Many Egyptians, especially Copts, have been targeted by militants in Libya which has been witnessing security unrest since overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi in 2011.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
