Captors Release 'First Photo' of Kidnapped Libyan PM

The first picture reportedly released by captors show the Libyan prime minister after gunmen stormed his hotel on Thursday morning. Photo by Al Arabiya

The Web site for Al Arabiya has posted a picture that it said was issued by the captors of the Libyan prime minister after gunmen stormed his hotel on Thursday morning.

Rebels have kidnapped Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan and taken him to an undisclosed location, his spokeswoman told CNN early Thursday.

Armed rebels escorted the prime minister from the Corinthian Hotel in Tripoli into a convoy of waiting cars, said a hotel clerk who was not authorized to speak to the media.

The witness reported no gunfire during the incident, and said the gunmen was respectful and "caused no trouble."

Zeidan'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."

Zeidan, a former Geneva-based human rights lawyer, took office in November 2012.

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