Libya releases U.S. military personnelDecember 28, 2013 - 12:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Four U.S. military personnel investigating potential evacuation routes in Libya were taken into custody at a checkpoint and detained briefly by the Libyan government before being released, the Associated Press said. No one was injured. The military personnel were taken to the U.S. Embassy after their release, a U.S. defence department official said. The four were supporting U.S. Marine security forces protecting the American Embassy, the official said. They were probably U.S. special operations forces, which have been deployed to Libya. An altercation apparently took place at a checkpoint near the town of Sabratha, the official said. Reports of gunfire could not be confirmed. After they were detained at the checkpoint, the Americans were transferred to the ministry of the interior and held for a few hours, the official said. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli includes a security detail. The embassy's personnel are restricted in their movements in Libya. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |