Libya: New York Times journalists to be freed

Four New York Times journalists who had gone missing in Libya will be releasedsoon, it was reported on Friday. The journalists had entered Libyathrough Egypt and were reporting from the rebel held city of Ajdabiya,which was then overrun by the pro-Gadaffi army and they were arrested.Libyan officials have indicated that the journalists will be releasedvery soon. Four Al Jazeera journalists are also said to be in custodyin Tripoli, while two Agence France-Presse journalists and a GettyImages photographer have been missing in Libya since Saturday.

Four Times Reporters Go Missing in Libya

NEW YORK — Four New York Times journalists, including a Pulitzer Prize winner, have been reported missing in Libya, the newspaper said.

Editors said they last heard from their employees on Tuesday.
Executive editor Bill Keller reports on NYTimes.com that Libyan officials told the Times that they are trying to find the journalists.

“We have talked with officials of the Libyan government in Tripoli, and they tell us they are attempting to ascertain the whereabouts of our journalists,” Keller said. “We are grateful to the Libyan government for their assurance that if our journalists were captured they would be released promptly and unharmed.”

Missing are Pulitzer-Prize-winning reporter and Beirut bureau chief Anthony Shadid; reporter/videographer Stephen Farrell; and photographers Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario.

“Their families and their colleagues at The Times are anxiously seeking information about their situation, and praying that they are safe,” Keller said.