Kidnapped Maltese oil worker Martin Galea was released in Libya this afternoon and arrived back in Malta on a special flight this evening.

He thanked all those who worked for his release, particularly the Maltese consul to Tripoli who, he said, had saved his life.

Mr Galea was held captive for 11 days and was released to the Maltese consulate in Tripoli at 5:50pm following a tortuous day in which the captors kept changing the drop off location; from Tunisia to the outskirts of Tripoli and finally the consular office in down-town Tripoli.

He was flown back to Malta with Consul Maria Farrugia aboard a Medavia jet with six Armed Forces officials on board. The aircraft was sent specifically to recover Mr Galea. It landed in Malta at 8.46 pm.

Mr Galea was welcomed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Foreign Minister George Vella, Home Minister Manuel Mallia and members of his family.

He looked well but is expected to be conveyed to Mater Dei Hospital for a medical check-up.

Dr Muscat thanked the diplomatic corps and the uniformed services for their 'silent and delicate work'. He also thanked the Islamic community in Malta for its assistance.

Mr Galea said he was happy to be safe and said that was thanks to the hard work of the government and to Marisa Farrugia of the Foreign Ministry who he said, had saved his life.

Shortly before Mr Galea's departure from Libya, Dr Muscat briefed the press about his release but the government asked for an embargo on the news until the aircraft entered Maltese airspace.

Dr Muscat said the government had managed to secure his release through a number of Libyan interlocutors, “all the while conscious that our contacting a person would not do harm”.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil also welcomed the release.

It is still unclear who was responsible for Mr Galea’s kidnapping. The Prime Minister said the government had indications but would not commit to making a statement on this issue for the time being before the Maltese Security Service debriefed Mr Galea.

“We were given parallel versions and we have some questions which are unanswered. We will fill in the blanks only after the Security Service has spoken to him. So far what we know for a fact is that he has been released and that was our priority,” he said.

No rnsom was paid for Mr Galea's release.  “Nobody ever asked for money ever since we got involved on Sunday,” Dr Muscat said, adding, however, that the government was informed that the oil company which employs Mr Galea, Arab Geophysical Exploration Services Company, was asked for money at one point but that no ransom was paid.

The abduction of the former army captain, a resident of Bidnija, was revealed last Friday by Times of Malta. The Prime Minister subsequently made a statement in Parliament confirming the kidnap. He revealed the government was informed of the abduction the previous Sunday and immediately started diplomatic efforts to try to obtain his release. The alarm was raised by members of Mr Galea’s immediate family when he failed to make the usual contact with his wife.

Dr Muscat said the government was silent over the matter not to jeopardise the situation.

“We can’t afford to give those forming part of the militia and who are objecting to Mr Galea’s release the opportunity to prolong his seizure.”

The Opposition had backed the government's efforts and the Imam of the Muslim community was among those who called for Mr Galea's safe release.

Mr Galea was employed as a health and safety officer with for the past months.

He was held when the car which was taking him to work was stopped at a roadblock outside Tripoli. The reason for the abduction is not known.

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