Libya, Conte and Di Maio in Benghazi: 'Italian fishermen are free'

"Our fishermen are free. In a few hours they will be able to hug their families and loved ones again

. Thanks to Aise (our external intelligence) and to all the diplomatic corps who have worked to bring them home. A hug to the whole community of Mazara del Vallo.

. This is what President Giuseppe Conte and I reiterated today in Haftar, during our meeting in Benghazi ".

Foreign Minister Di Maio writes it on Fb. 

Our fishermen are free.

In a few hours they will be able to hug their families and loved ones again.

Thanks...

Published by Luigi Di Maio on Thursday 17 December 2020

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio went to Libya to take them back.

In Benghazi, the stronghold of General Khalifa el-Haftar, the crews of two Italian fishing boats from Mazara del Vallo have been detained since the beginning of September: 18 people, including 8 Italians, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indonesians and 2 Senegalese.

 "

Excited and with his voice broken by tears,

owner of the Medinea, one of the two fishing boats seized 108 days ago in Libya

, replies to Radio Capital

.

"I spoke to Minister Bonafede who told me:" There is something good in the air. "" For me an absurd emotion - concludes Marrone - I cried like a child.

Now we are just waiting for confirmation ".  

"

. Even their Muslim colleagues after months have managed to exchange a few words with their family".

This was stated by mayor of Mazara del Vallo, Salvatore Quinci, on the news arriving from Benghazi about Italian fishermen.

The party exploded in the council chamber of the Municipality of Mazara del Vallo after the arrival of the official news from Libya of the release of the 18 fishermen of the local navy.

Applusi, screams and tears of joy and lots of hugs.

All mixed with emotion and a sense of liberation.

"I am very happy - said the daughter of one of them - I have no words to express the joy I feel and the happiness in thinking that soon you will be able to embrace him again".

THE EMOTION OF FAMILIES

  - "

Thus one of the motorists among the Sicilian fishermen in Libya during a phone call to his wife.

This was reported by the mayor of Mazara del Vallo, Salvatore Quinci.

(ANSA) There is great expectation and high expectations in

for the release of the 18 fishermen stopped in Libya after the announcement of the flight of Prime Minister Conte and Foreign Minister Di Maio to Benghazi.

Family members, friends and colleagues gathered in front of the Municipality where they met the mayor Salvatore Quinci.

"We have received communications on an imminent release - said Quinci - we are now waiting for updates and the conclusion of this story." "

" .

So Rosetta Incargiola, mother of Pietro Marrone, one of the Sicilian fishermen stopped in Bengasi.

Happy homecoming pic.twitter.com/MKYISFeTmV

- Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT) December 17, 2020

THE POLITICAL POLEMIC- "Today are 108 days since the kidnapping, with ease ..."

 The leader of the League,

attack

"It is a humanly happy day for us and for the Brothers of Italy, we learned to know the wives, mothers and children of fishermen for a long time with a solidarity tent in front of Montecitorio which the Prime Minister never thought of going to bring a greeting and a word of comparison.

. "I am happy for the release of the 18 fishermen kidnapped in Libya. It is a double happiness: as a" son "of Mazara del Vallo and as a member of a government that, from the very first moment, never stopped working head down to obtain this result. I thank the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and the Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio who made it possible for the fishermen to return to their loved ones. My biggest embrace goes to the fishermen's families! ".

Minister of Justice and head of the 5 Star government delegation

writes in a post on Facebook

. "The fishermen of Mazara del Vallo are returning home, we are waiting for you! Today is a happy day for Italy". So on twitter the secretary Pd

"A wonderful news for our country: the fishermen of Mazara del Vallo are returning to Italy to their families. Thanks to all the institutions that have contributed to their liberation with constant and silent work".