Spanish Consul Travels to Benghazi to Aid Detained Activist

Spain's consul in Tripoli has reached Benghazi to provide assistance to Alicia Armesto Núñez, a Spanish activist currently detained in the eastern Libyan city. Armesto Núñez was apprehended last Friday along with nine other international activists.

The group was traveling in a humanitarian convoy bound for the Gaza Strip when they were detained. According to Libyan authorities in the east, the activists entered their territory without completing the necessary legal procedures. The detained individuals hail from Spain, Italy, Argentina, the United States, Poland, Portugal, Uruguay, and Tunisia.

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the consul has met with the attorney general and held discussions with various civil and military officials in Benghazi. The consul is expected to remain in the city as long as necessary to facilitate Armesto Núñez's release and provide consular support.

Spain's ambassador to Tripoli has been actively involved since the arrest. However, the ministry noted that the internal situation in Libya adds complexity to the ongoing efforts. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares is closely monitoring the situation from a crisis unit within the ministry.

The convoy, which originated in Algeria and passed through Tunisia and western Libya, had reportedly lost contact with participants near Sirte, a city on the dividing line between western and eastern Libya, as they attempted to negotiate passage with the eastern government. Authorities in Benghazi had previously warned that foreign activists would not be permitted to transit through their territory.