国际英语新闻:13 Egyptian Coptic workers abducted in Libya

CAIRO/TRIPOLI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 13 Egyptian Coptic workers have been abducted by unidentified gunmen in Libya's northern city of Sirte, local media quoted security source as saying on Saturday.

Militia fighters broke into a residential complex of Egyptian workers in Sirte and abducted 13 of them, according to Egypt's Akhbarelyom newspaper.

The incident took place a week after seven Egyptian Christian workers were abducted in Sirte.

Christian foreigners have been targeted several times in Libya. Last week, a family of Egyptian Christians was found killed. The husband, a doctor, and his pharmacist wife were shot dead at their residence, while their 18-year-old daughter was found dead 17 km west of Sirte.

Libya is an ideal destination for thousands of Egyptian workers, many of whom are hired in construction.