ICRC delegates, including two doctors, spoke to each prisoner in private to establish that he was returning of his own free will. They also provided medical care throughout the operation. The prisoners left Tindouf (Algeria) on aircraft provided by the Libyan authorities, and were handed over to the Moroccan authorities.

Since February 2003, 643 Moroccan prisoners have been released under the auspices of the ICRC. Currently, 614 others are still deprived of their freedom. Pending their repatriation, the ICRC is continuing to visit them regularly and to provide them with medical care. The organization is also maintaining contact between the prisoners and their families, by facilitating the exchange of Red Cross messages, delivering parcels from the families and visiting them in Morocco.

The ICRC once again appeals for the immediate release of the remaining prisoners, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

• Read here about the release and repatriation of Moroccan prisoners that took place on 1 september 2003.