MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Austria's Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed on Monday that an Austrian was among nine foreigners abducted in Libya by the Islamic State (IS) during Friday's attack on an oilfield.
The abducted were reported to be from Austria, Czech Republic, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Ghana.
"Credible sources have confirmed: one Austrian — along with group of internationals — is in hands of IS-terrorists after Libyan oilfield attack," Martin Weiss posted on his Twitter page.
The attack was carried out at the Libyan al-Ghani oilfield operated by the Malta-based VAOS Oil Services company on March 6. Militants affiliated with the IS jihadist group beheaded eight Libyan guards during the attack.
Libya has seen a number of attacks on its oil structures in recent months. The country is currently facing its worst wave of violence since the beginning of a civil war prompted by the 2011 overthrow of long-standing leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The Libyan government is fighting numerous rebel groups, including Islamic State-affiliated militants.
