ROME - Four Italians have been kidnapped in Libyan city of Mellitah, Italian Foreign Ministry said Monday morning.

The four were kidnapped near the energy giant Eni oil and gas company complex, and they were workers for the Bonatti construction company, the ministry added.

Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said the crisis unit of his department was working urgently on the case.

Italy closed its embassy in Libya in February and had urged its citizens to leave the country over the escalating violence.