14 Tunisian workers have been abducted while they were on their way to work at Zawiya refinery, western Libya.

Tunisian sources said an armed group abducted the workers to demand the release of a Libyan national from prison in Tunisia.

The Libyan and Tunisian foreign ministries are now in continuous contacts to secure the release of the workers.

Meanwhile, the Libyan interior ministry said it’s following the case with great concern.

It declared a state of emergency in Greater Zawiya districts to ensure the safe return of the Tunisian abductees, saying in a statement that it won’t allow any blackmail attempt to harm relations with its neighbor.