The four New York Times journalists detained in Libya have been released and handed over to the Turkish Embassy in Tripoli, said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, while a spokeswoman for the newspaper said that apparently in good condition. "Thanks to the Libyan authorities and their cooperation, the four journalists from the New York Times were delivered to our embassy just now, "said Davutoglu to the press.
According to the minister, the U.S. asked Turkey to help him secure the release of journalists detained last week by the Libyan government forces. The Times said he was informed that four workers were in good health, in a statement in which he thanked his release. "We are managing to meet with their families," said a spokeswoman for the newspaper.
"They said they were in good health and are in the process of confirming it," he added. "We thank the Turkish government, U.S. and UK for their assistance in the release," he said. "We also appreciate the work of the Libyans who helped secure his release this morning," he said. The newspaper had reported the disappearance of its workers on Wednesday.
The journalists were near the port city of Ajdabiya during fighting between rebels and forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. In an interview broadcast Friday by the U.S. network ABC News, one of Gadhafi's sons, Seif al Islam Gadhafi acknowledged that a reporter was arrested and was being released.
Journalists are Anthony Shadid, a correspondent in Beirut and Pulitzer Prize winner twice, Stephen Farrell, a reporter and videographer who already was kidnapped in 2009 by the Taliban in Afghanistan and released by British commandos and two photographers, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario both with experience in the Middle East and Africa. 
According to the minister, the U.S. asked Turkey to help him secure the release of journalists detained last week by the Libyan government forces. The Times said he was informed that four workers were in good health, in a statement in which he thanked his release. "We are managing to meet with their families," said a spokeswoman for the newspaper.
"They said they were in good health and are in the process of confirming it," he added. "We thank the Turkish government, U.S. and UK for their assistance in the release," he said. "We also appreciate the work of the Libyans who helped secure his release this morning," he said. The newspaper had reported the disappearance of its workers on Wednesday.
The journalists were near the port city of Ajdabiya during fighting between rebels and forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. In an interview broadcast Friday by the U.S. network ABC News, one of Gadhafi's sons, Seif al Islam Gadhafi acknowledged that a reporter was arrested and was being released.
Journalists are Anthony Shadid, a correspondent in Beirut and Pulitzer Prize winner twice, Stephen Farrell, a reporter and videographer who already was kidnapped in 2009 by the Taliban in Afghanistan and released by British commandos and two photographers, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario both with experience in the Middle East and Africa.
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