Four Italian construction workers kidnapped near in Libyan oil fields

ROME, July 20 (UPI) -- Four Italian nationals were kidnapped by unidentified abductors in Libya, the Italian Foreign Ministry announced Monday.

The four construction workers, employed by Bonatti S.P.A., which specializes in oil field construction in hazardous areas, were kidnapped near western Libya's Eni oil and gas fields, in the city of Mellitah, after a trip to Tunisia.

The workers, who have not been identified, were taken late Sunday.

Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said his agency has been working on the case but is uncertain which of Libya's numerous militias is involved in the incident. Prosecutors in Rome and the Italian police anti-terrorism unit ROS are approaching the matter as an issue of terrorism.

"We are busy trying to find the people that were kidnapped and trying to solve this problem. It's very difficult after just a few hours to understand the nature of this kidnapping, who is responsible for it," Gentiloni said.

Italy closed its Libyan embassy in February, urging Italian nationals to leave the country because of its deteriorating political situation and potential danger to foreigners.