(Reuters) – A group of Ethiopians reported to have been kidnapped in Libya arrived at Cairo airport on Thursday after Egyptian authorities managed to get them released, Egyptian state television said.

The station aired live footage from the airport where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi greeted about 30 Ethiopians who had arrived on an Egyptian government plane.

It gave no details of their identity, the manner of their release or circumstances of detention.

Sisi has repeatedly called for international efforts to combat Islamist militants in Libya, which has descended into chaos since veteran autocrat Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings.

The former army chief has portrayed himself as a champion of moderate Islam in a battle against what he calls the global existential threat from groups such as Islamic State.