Jordanian ambassador seized in Libya, kidnappers demand prisoner release

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By Feras Bosalum and Suleiman Al-Khalidi TRIPOLI/AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan's ambassador to Libya was kidnapped on Tuesday by gunmen who demanded an Islamist militant be released from a Jordanian jail in exchange for the diplomat's freedom. The masked gunmen shot and wounded the driver of Ambassador Fawaz al-Itan's car as they snatched the diplomat from a street in the capital Tripoli, Libya's Foreign Ministry said. Essam Baitelmel, a member of the Libyan team investigating the abduction, said the kidnappers had demanded the release of Mohamed Dersi, a Libyan Islamist militant jailed for life in 2007 for plotting to blow up the main airport in Jordan. Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour told parliament the government would take "all necessary measures to protect his life and release him." But agreeing to the kidnappers' demand could set a dangerous precedent for Jordan which is one of the United States' most important allies in the fight against al Qaeda.




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