Eight Egyptian sailors freed after nearly five months in captivity off Somalia have arrived in Mogadishu ahead of their return to Cairo, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
Egyptian Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Salah received the sailors at Mogadishu airport and escorted them to the Egyptian embassy, where the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nader Zaki, said they were provided with accommodation and security.
The sailors are expected to travel to Cairo accompanied by the ambassador.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had instructed the embassy in Mogadishu to receive the sailors, check on their well-being and facilitate their return home.
Zaki said the embassy had maintained continuous communication with the sailors and their families throughout their captivity. It also maintained repeated contact with Somalia’s federal government, Puntland authorities, and the owners of the vessel and its cargo.
Egyptian diplomatic officials handling relations with Yemen also maintained contacts with the relevant authorities under Abdelatty’s direction, he added.
Source: Ahram Online
