ByMICHAEL STARR
Updated:

Qatar and Russia were both involved in the Monday release of two Russian Jews who were arrested in Libya.

The Orthodox Jews, one of whom also had Israeli citizenship, were arrested two weeks ago in relation to the break-in of a Tripoli synagogue. One of the men had reportedly attempted to enter the synagogue to pray, and his companion was arrested at a hotel.

Kan had reported that the men, who resided in Russia, had entered Libya through Tunisia.

A picture shows the abandoned Dar Bishi synagogue in the Libyan capital Tripoli on September 28, 2011. The Jewish community in Libya dates back to the third century BC and at its peak numbered around 38,000 people, although it was always the smallest of the Jewish populations in north Africa. Most o
A picture shows the abandoned Dar Bishi synagogue in the Libyan capital Tripoli on September 28, 2011. The Jewish community in Libya dates back to the third century BC and at its peak numbered around 38,000 people, although it was always the smallest of the Jewish populations in north Africa. Most o (credit: Joseph Eid / AFP/ Getty Images)

The Qatari, Russian, and Israeli foreign ministries did not respond to queries about their roles or awareness of the incident.

No known Jews are living in Libya, and much of the small population fled to Israel following the post-World War II pogroms.