ERUSALEM, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Libyan authorities released Yisrael (Rifram) Hadad, a 34-year-old Israeli who entered the country five months ago and was arrested and accused of spying.
Hadad had been held since he traveled to Libya to take photos of Jewish properties and heritage sites in March on behalf of a Libyan Jewish organization.
There are no diplomatic ties between Israel and Libya.
After Libyan authorities agreed to release him, Hadad left the country and arrived in Vienna Sunday evening with a Monday arrival scheduled in Israel.
Hadad, who holds Israel and Tunisian passports, was met in Vienna by Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Efforts by Israel's Foreign Ministry, through contacts in Italy, France and the United States, had failed to win Hadad's release and convince the Libyan authorities he was not a spy, the Maariv newspaper said Monday.
About 10 weeks ago, Lieberman became personally involved in the affair. He approached an acquaintance, Austrian Martin Schlaff, known for his business ties with Libyan officials, and asked his assistance, the newspaper said.
Efforts to secure Hadad's release, had been subjected to heavy censorship. UPI
