Updated

Officials say militiamen in Libya have detained over 50 Egyptian trucks on the road to the country's east to protest the prosecution of members of their group in Egypt on arms smuggling charges.

Libyan Interior Ministry spokesman Rami Kaal said Saturday that gunmen prevented the trucks from entering the city of Ajdabiya. He says drivers and passengers have been waiting with their vehicles on the side of the road since Friday. He says trucks with perishable goods were allowed to pass.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry said it is in contact with Libyan authorities to secure the drivers' release, while renewing warnings to Egyptians not to travel to Libya.

In January, gunmen briefly kidnapped six Egyptian diplomats and embassy employees following the arrest of a Libyan militia leader in Egypt.