The U.S. Embassy expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the Serbian hostages Sladjana Stankovic and Jovica Stepic who were tragically killed in Libya.
“Our efforts are intended to save innocent lives, and we profoundly regret the tragic death of these two Serbian officials,” the Embassy said. The statement says the U.S. is grateful for Serbia’s commitment as a partner in the counter-ISIL coalition fighting the scourge of international terrorism.
“Upon hearing the press reports, Ambassador Kyle Scott spoke directly with Prime Minister Vucic and Foreign Minister Dacic to express his profound regret and the sincere condolences of the American people for this tragic loss,” the Embassy said in a statement delivered to Tanjug
************* THE SERBS WERE TO BE RELEASED !
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic confirmed Saturday that a US airstrike carried out in Libya killed two abducted Serbian diplomats and provided the names of alleged kidnappers of Serbian citizens.
The US airstrike targeted a terrorist training camp in the northwestern Libyan town of Sabratha on Friday. Serbian officials have indicated that two of their diplomats, kidnapped last November, were killed in the assault.
“The Serbian citizens and others incidentally fell victim to the conflict of foreign countries and foreign interests,” Vucic said.
According to the Serbian prime minister, the kidnapped diplomats would have been released, “if they had not been killed in the US airstrike.”
The prime minister, citing intelligence information, said that the members of Ahmed Habashi’s family who are engaged in kidnapping and smuggling people through Italy, were likely behind the attack.
Besides, according to Vucic, representatives of the US side told him they were unaware that Serbian citizens could have been affected by the airstrike.
Two Serbian Embassy staff members were abducted on November 29 near Sabratha. The incident took place when unknown people attacked a column comprising three vehicles — two diplomatic cars and a security vehicle. Serbian Ambassador to Libya Oliver Potezica was also in the motorcade but he escaped unharmed.
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