Armed men kidnap Prime Minister

Armed rebels have kidnapped Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan from a hotel in Tripoli, his spokeswoman told CNN early Thursday, October 10.

Two Arab television channels Abu Dhabi-based Sky News Arabia and Dubai-based al-Arabiya quoted Libyan security sources as saying that Zeidan was seized from a hotel where he was staying in the Libyan capital and taken to an unknown location.

A hotel clerk who was not authorized to speak to the media said armed rebels escorted the prime minister from the Corinthian Hotel in Tripoli into a convoy of waiting cars. However, the witness reported no gunfire during the incident, and said the gunmen was respectful and "caused no trouble."

Zidan's office initially called the abduction a "rumor" on its official Facebook page. Then it posted a note that said it was "coerced by kidnappers to deny the report."

Ali Zeidan took office of Prime Minister in October 2012.


Naij