Libya: Two British Journalists Released

Tripoli--Two British Journalists working for an Iranian television held in eastern Libya late last month by a Libyan armed brigade over spying have been released and cleared of all charges, interior ministry says.

Flanked by the two journalists who looked tired but healthy, deputy interior minister Omar al-Khadrawi told reporters during a press conference in Tripoli that the two were released after it was found that they had committed no crime.

"The interior ministry granted their release when it became obvious that no crime had been committed," said al-Khadrawi. “They have expressed a desire to leave Libya.”

The two British journalists identified as Nicholas Davies and Gareth Montgomery-Johnson who were working for the English-speaking Press TV based in Tehran were detained by the Swehli brigade fighters following their arrest in Misrata, 200km east of Tripoli on February 22 by the group.

The two who have been in government custody since last week, were said to have no Libyan entry visas, were accused of being spies after official Libyan documents and equipments used by the Israeli military were found in their possession by the brigade’s fighters who had became suspicious of the two and decided to follow them.

The deputy interior minister told reporters that there had been suspicion about their activities but since then their innocence has been proven. He added that what happened could not be considered as kidnapping by the revolutionaries whom he said were acting in the interest of state security.

The militia group is one of the many in the country that fought in the revolutionary war that helped topple Col Muammar Gaddafi, but since end of the war have resisted extensions by the interim government to disarm and continue to fight amongst themselves over control of territories.

Both men are said to have left Tripoli for the United Kingdom on Monday, following their Sunday release after being cleared of all charges.

Britain’s Foreign Office says it welcomes the release of the two journalists and it was looking forward to reunite them with their families soon.

Journalists covering the Libyan conflict routinely entered the country without going through normal border procedures, collected documents found on the battlefield, and took pictures of themselves posing with weapons to keep as mementoes.

Cairo, Egypt

Egypt Mourns Coptic Pope Shenouda’s Death

Thousands of Egyptian Copts are expected Tuesday to attend in the capital the funeral of their spiritual leader, Pope Shenouda III who died on Saturday at the age of 88.

The Pope died on Saturday after battling health problems for years, travelling to the US frequently for treatment. He recently stopped receiving treatment for liver failure and tumours in his lungs because he was too feeble, the Coptic Church said.

Thousands of grieving Copts have thronged to Cairo’s St Mark’s Coptic cathedral since his death to view the body, which had been sat upright on the papal throne dressed in golden vestments, and crown, with a gold knobbed staff.

Pope Shenouda III led the Egyptian Copts, the Middle East’s largest Christian community, estimated at 10 percent of Egypt’s population of more than 80 million.

Tributes continue to pour in from all over the world in honour of the religious leader who sought to protect his people for the best part of a generation in which the country was hit by a wave of Islamic militancy.

US president Barack Obama hailed Pope Shenouda III as “an advocate for tolerance and religious dialogue.”  Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, had offered prayers for Shenouda, the Vatican said.

Muslim leaders in the country who were quick to send their condolences after news of his death described it as “grave calamity that has afflicted all Egypt and its noble people, Muslims and Christians,” the country's mufti, Ali Gomaa, said in a statement.

Coptic bishops from around the world are flying into the country to attend meetings over funeral arrangements and plans for Shenouda’s succession. Bishop Pachomious of the Nile Delta province of Beheira has assumed papal duties for two months until a council of senior clergy meets to choose a new pope, which will be done according to procedures laid out in 1957 church bylaws.

Egypt’s military rulers have declared Tuesday a national day of mourning, where flags will be flown half mast.

A funeral service will be held at the cathedral on Tuesday followed by his burial at the St. Bishoy monastery of Wadi Natrun in the Nile Delta according to his wishes stated on his will, where he spent time in exile after a dispute with the late president Anwar Sadat, state media reported.

His death leaves behind a nervous community that has been target of frequent sectarian attacks in recent years that has become more assertive following an uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak.