Serbian Embassy employees abducted in Libya

A Libyan security source confirmed the ambassador’s escape and said the vehicle carrying the two kidnapped staff was stopped by gunmen in two cars.

“We have no information about who the kidnappers are”.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic spoke with his Libyan counterpart about the abductions, the statement said.

It named the pair as Sladjana Stankovic, a communications officer, and Jovica Stepic, a driver.

Sabratha is considered a bastion for extremists in lawless Libya, which has become a magnet for radical militants who receive weapons training in jihadist camps before launching deadly attacks in other countries.

The ministry is “doing its best” to resolve the situation, to provide more information and guarantee safe return of the Serbian citizens, according to the statement.

Libya has fallen into turmoil with its internationally recognised government and elected parliament on one side and a self-styled administration holding Tripoli on the other, each backed by regional, tribal or Islamist armed factions.

Serbia has diplomatic relations with internationally recognized government of Libya, which is locked in a power struggle with the rebel regime in Tripoli. It said Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic had spoken with Libyan officials and quoted him as saying he “expects a positive outcome within the next 48 hours”.