Libyan prime minister Ali Zeidan ‘taken by gunmen’

Libyan prime minister Ali Zeidan has been kidnapped by gunmen from a hotel in Tripoli where he resides, officials said.

The abduction comes amid anger among Libya’s powerful Islamic militant groups over the US special forces raid on Saturday that seized a Libyan al Qaida suspect, known as Abu Anas al-Libi.

Several groups accused the government of colluding in or allowing the raid, although the government denied having any prior knowledge of the operation. Hours before the abduction, Mr Zeidan met al-Libi’s family.

A government official said gunmen broke into the luxury hotel in Tripoli centre and abducted Mr Zeidan and two of his guards.