A DEVASTATED mother is calling on the government to take immediate action to reunite her with her five-year-old daughter who has been kidnapped for a second time.

Leila Saber Mesbah Sabra says she has been fighting a losing battle to get A’ishah back after she failed to return from an access visit with her father Saber Mesbah Sabra in Egypt eight months ago.

Speaking to the Echo from Egypt, Leila said: “A’ishah is a British citizen, she came to Egypt on a visitor’s visa and she is lost. Why won’t the government do anything?”

A’ishah, whose grandmother Barbara Maas lives in Bournemouth, was just two when she first went missing in May 2009 while on an access visit with her father in the resort of Hurghada. Leila fought an eight-month custody battle and was finally reunited with A’ishah in January 2010.

Leila secured full custody of her young daughter through the Egyptian courts but was unable to leave the country because a travel ban had been placed on A’ishah by her father.

But despite her court victory, A’ishah has disappeared for a second time and Leila says she is locked in a battle with the Egyptian courts who say they cannot get the police to enforce the law without a missing original custody document.

“We don’t have the old document. I have full custody of A’ishah and the British government are not doing anything. They stepped in last time and I had A’ishah in my arms within a week. Why are they not helping us now? We are being held hostage here and the British government have let us down.”

Leila’s mum Barbara says she is “devastated” A’ishah has been kidnapped again and is anxiously waiting at her Bournemouth home for news and has also called for the Government to step in. Leila’s plight will be highlighted later this month when supporters are to due to stage a peaceful protest on August 25 outside Parliament – visit Facebook page Peaceful Protest for Aishah Sabra. And an e-petition has been created calling for the British Government to intervene in A’ishah’s case.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the consular case and we are providing consular assistance.”