Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor has spoken by phone with her husband and daughter overnight (4am June 27 AEST), to let them know she is well and in good spirits.

The phone call is the first contact between Ms Taylor and her family since she was detained in Libya on June 7.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the phone call followed an earlier twenty-minute meeting between Ms Taylor and Australia’s Ambassador to Libya, David Ritchie at the Zintan prison where Ms Taylor is detained.

“Ambassador Ritchie has advised that Melinda is well and in good spirits, and that she is being held in adequate conditions,” Senator Carr said.‪

“He was able to communicate a message of support from her family, and indicate that the Government remains committed to her swift release.

“I thank the Libyan authorities, especially Prime Minister El-Keib, for his assurances of consular access and for his efforts in making this visit and phone call possible.‪

The meeting and phone call follow recent talks between Libyan and ICC representatives in The Hague, as proposed by Australia on June 19.‪

They also follow statements by the United Nations Security Council on June 16, calling for the release of all ICC staff, and representations by Australian and European Governments.‪

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