Libya has released four Egyptian minors who were arrested on 30 March for illegally entering Libyan territory on fishing boats, said Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Mohamed Abdel Hakam. The minors, between the ages 9 and 14, were accompanied by an unspecified number of Egyptian fishermen, who have also been released, according to Abdel Hakam. Abdel Hakam said that the release of the four minors was the outcome of communication between the Egyptian embassy in Beni Ghazi and the Libyan authorities. At the time of speaking, the assistant minister said that paperwork was being finalized to bring the Egyptians home within hours. Abdel Hakam appealed to fishermen not to employ minors and called for them to respect international agreements banning child labor. On another topic, Abdel Hakam stated that Italian authorities have noted a recent increase in complaints that Egyptian nationals in that country are abusing minors. The Italians have said that minors are being transferred into the care of social services institutions for protection, according to Abdel Hakam. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
