Military spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali earlier said that military intelligence was able to resolve the issue in coordination with Libyan authorities.
Ali posted a statement on Facebook Sunday saying: “It took place after Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed the necessity to resolve the issue."
The Egyptian trucks were on their way back to Egypt after delivering merchandise to Libya, when Libyan militiamen stopped them and detained 74 drivers as well as their vehicles. The incident occurred five kilometers east of Ajdabiya on Friday.
Hamad al-Akeir, spokesperson for the Libyan al-Zawya tribe, which kidnapped the drivers, expressed his wish that the news of the drivers' release would make Egyptians happy.
Akeir told Al-Masry Al-Youm on Monday that several Libyan tribes agreed to release the lorry drivers, while Matrouh tribes led negotiations with Egyptian military intelligence.
“We released the Egyptians without conditions following the decision by Libyan tribes," Akeir stated. "However, we still insist on our demand. We trust the Egyptian judiciary. The Egyptian military cares about relations between Libya and Egypt."
"Libyans accused of smuggling weapons did not commit any crime. We call on the Egyptian military to consider our demand,” he added.
