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Two Libyans abducted in Somalia Two Libyans released in Somalia
(about 4 hours later)
Two Libyan diplomats have been abducted by gunmen while shopping at a market in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Two Libyan diplomats have been released in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, after being briefly abducted by gunmen.
They were surrounded by men armed with pistols at the Bakara market, then were put in a car and driven away, their driver said. They were seized while shopping at the city's main Baraka market. The diplomats' Somali driver was first freed and sounded the alarm.
The Bakara is the city's main market and an insurgent stronghold. Kidnappings are rare in Mogadishu but common in other parts of Somalia.
At least three other foreigners have been abducted in Somalia in recent weeks, all of them freed after short periods. At least three other foreigners - two Spanish aid workers and a French reporter - have been abducted in Somalia in recent weeks.
Two aid workers from the Spanish branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres were held, then released this week near the northern town of Bossasso. All were freed after short periods. Few details were given but ransom demands are believed to have been made in the earlier cases.
Last month, a French journalist was held for just over a week. The Bakara market is one of Mogadishu's most dangerous places, the BBC's Mary Harper reports.
Few details were given but ransom demands are believed to have been made in the earlier cases.
City flash-point
The authorities in Somalia have confirmed that the Libyans were kidnapped but were unable to give further details.
The Bakara is one of Mogadishu's most dangerous places, the BBC's Mary Harper reports.
It is a stronghold for Islamist insurgents and other opponents of the interim government, and is disrupted daily by clashes between the insurgents and Ethiopian soldiers supporting government troops.It is a stronghold for Islamist insurgents and other opponents of the interim government, and is disrupted daily by clashes between the insurgents and Ethiopian soldiers supporting government troops.
Although relatively rare in Mogadishu, kidnappings are common in other parts of Somalia, our correspondent adds.
Hostages are usually released after a ransom is paid, with the money often used to pay for weapons used by the many armed groups operating in the country.