Kidnappers of 2 Tunisians demand Libyans' release

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia's foreign minister says kidnappers who seized two Tunisians including one of its diplomats in Libya have demanded the release of two Libyans jailed in Tunisia.

Mongi Hamdi told Tunisian radio ExpressFM Friday that the group that kidnapped diplomat Laaroussi Kontassi, an adviser at the country's embassy in Tripoli, on Thursday was also behind the kidnapping of Mohamed Bencheikh, an embassy employee, on March 21.

Hamdi says the kidnappers want the release of two Libyans jailed in connection with a May 2011 attack that killed two Tunisian soldiers.

Libya has been plagued by lawlessness, including a spate of kidnappings, since the end of the country's civil war more than two years ago.

Also Friday, a Tunisian soldier was killed and another wounded when a land mine exploded beneath the vehicle they were travelling in on Mount Chaambi near the Algerian border. Defense ministry spokesman Taoufik Rahmouni said the attack occurred following an exchange of fire between Tunisian forces and gunmen.

The Tunisian military has been tracking militants in the mountainous region for more than one year.