Italy is working day and night" to secure the safe release of 18 fishermen imprisoned by authorities in eastern Libya since early September for allegedly entering its territorial waters, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio stated on Friday,
"We continue to work day and night and right now are concentrating our efforts on behalf of our compatriots in Libya," Di Maio wrote on Facebook.
The post came after an Italian priest and a tourist were freed in Mali and returned to Italy in good health after being held by an Al-Qaeda linked jihadist group.
Italy has "activated all international channels" and is working behind the scenes and amid a news blackout "to get the best possible outcome," read Di Maio's post.
"We are in constant contact with the fishermen's families...long live Italy," the post underlined.
