Libya paid a ransom of five million euros “on its own initiative” to the abductors of 14 European hostages who were released this week after being held for months in the Sahara desert, diplomats said. The money passed “neither through Malian nor German hands,” the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity after the freed hostages returned home safely Wednesday in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Another diplomat, who also requested anonymity, confirmed the assertion. The money was paid to the abductors’ leader through an intermediary chosen by Tripoli, the diplomats said, without naming the go-between or stating where or when the transaction took place. Full Story