PM ‘optimistic’ about fate of abducted diplomat

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Monday said he is optimistic about the release of Jordan’s Ambassador to Libya Fawaz Aitan, who was kidnapped in Tripoli last week.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh assured lawmakers that the government is working relentlessly to free the diplomat.

“I am fully assured. That is all… for now,” Ensour said in response to a query by several deputies and senators during a joint session of Parliament. He did not give details.

Also on Monday, Judeh briefed Deputy Hazem Qashou, who chairs the Lower House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the efforts exerted to secure Aitan’s release, highlighting intensive contacts which he said are under way with Libyan officials and influential parties there. 

Judeh accompanied Qashou on a visit to the command room set up at his ministry to follow up on the case. He said the task force assigned with the mission has been working around-the-clock, in coordination with all concerned parties since the kidnapping of the Jordanian diplomat. 

The minister reiterated the same remarks in a statement to the press.

“We are working around-the-clock… and hopefully our efforts will bear fruit and the ambassador will return to his family and homeland,” Judeh said. 

Aitan was abducted by an anonymous armed group on Tuesday and kidnappers reportedly demanded the release of a Libyan who is serving a life prison sentence in Jordan in exchange for the ambassador’s release.