Italian Workers Kidnapped in Libya

ROME—Four Italian workers were kidnapped in Libya on Sunday evening, Italy's Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni confirmed Monday.

Mr. Gentiloni said didn't know who was responsible for the crime and that the priority for Rome's government was the nationals' release.

"It is always difficult to tell only a few hours [after such an incident] to understand who is responsible," said Mr. Gentiloni, on the sidelines of a conference in Brussels and broadcast live by SkyTG24.

The minister said Italy is working with intelligence services to achieve the workers' release and the ministry is in contact with their families and their employer, Italian construction company Bonatti SpA.

The workers were seized near the strategically important oil and natural gas complex of Mellitah, on the outskirts of Zuwarah in Western Libya that provides Italy with up to 10% of its gas imports. Mellitah Oil & Gas BV is owned by Libya's National Oil Co. and Italian energy company Eni SpA.

Bonatti confirmed the kidnapping on Sunday near the Mellitah complex and that it is in direct contact with the special unit at Italy's foreign ministry that deals with such incidents. A Bonatti spokesman declined to comment further.

Italy has been at the forefront of seeking a solution to establish a government and create political stability in its former colony since the ousting of Col. Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

Human traffickers use Libya as a base from which to ship thousands of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea in rickety boats towards Italy. There is also increasing concern that Libya may be used by Islamic terrorists as a base for attacks in other countries.

In February, Italy closed its embassy in Libya and advised all nationals to leave the country.

The security risks in Libya have crippled the country's oil and natural gas production—its main source of foreign currency. Eni has emerged as the only international oil company still pumping near capacity in the war-torn country.

Write to Liam Moloney at [e-mail]

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