Libyan authorities agreed to release 30 Egyptian fishermen after they were arrested on December 23 crossing Libyan territorial waters illegally and fishing without license. Mohamed Abdel-Hakim, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of Egyptian immigration and refugee affairs at the Benghazi consulate, said that securing the fishermen's release came after intensive efforts and contacts carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Egyptian Consulate General in Benghazi. Abdel Hakim said the consent by Libyan authorities to release the Egyptian fishermen came due to Egypt's good relations with Libya's leadership, government and people. He also expressed his gratitude to the Libyan authorities in this regard. He did, however, highlight the importance of respecting international law and the United Nations' Convention which prohibits the entry of the territorial waters of other countries illegally, and fishing without license.
