DHAKA: Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has been seized by militants from his residence in the capital Tripoli, a well-placed source in his media office has told the BBC.

Mr Zeidan has been taken to an unknown destination by a group of men believed to be former rebels, the government website said.

Sources say Mr Zeidan was arrested by anti-crime department militia.

On Tuesday he called on the West to help stop militancy in Libya.

In an interview with the BBC he said it was being used as a weapons base.

The prime minister told the Newsnight programme that his country was being used to export weapons throughout the region.

Two years after the revolt which overthrew Muammar Gaddafi, Libya`s government has been struggling to contain rival tribal militias and Islamist militants who control parts of the country.

On Monday, Libya demanded an explanation from the US ambassador over the capture of suspected al-Qaeda leader Anas al-Liby in Tripoli.

Mr Liby was wanted over the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. He was seized by US commandos in an early morning raid on Saturday.

The BBC`s Rana Jawad in Tripoli says that it is too soon to link Mr Zeidan`s seizure with the capture of Mr Liby.

Last month Mr Zeidan visited the UK and appealed for British help to remove weapons from the country amid fears of increased arms smuggling to Syria.

In April he urged Libyans to back their government in the face of "people who want to destabilise the country".

He also complained at that time of other attacks and "acts of sabotage" carried out by separate groups, against the interior ministry and national TV headquarters.

Source: BBC
BDST: 1117HRS, OCT 10, 2013
RS/BSK