One of two Tunisian diplomats recently kidnapped in Libya appeared in a video released by a Libyan militant group, Chabab Tawhid (“Youth of Unification”), begging the Tunisian government to negotiate for his release. The kidnappers are demanding the release of Islamists arrested after attacks in Rouhia in 2011. Ansar al Sharia Tunisia issued a statement of solidarity with protesters in Rouhia who had attacked police following the April 7 arrest of 16 extremists, including some who had fought in Iraq and Syria. A negotiator for the kidnappers claimed that two al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb prisoners whose freedom is demanded are innocent.
