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Jordanian envoy kidnapped in Libya attack Jordanian envoy kidnapped in Libya attack
(about 6 hours later)
The Jordanian ambassador to Libya has been kidnapped in the capital Tripoli, in an attack that left his driver wounded, officials say. Jordan's ambassador to Libya has been abducted by masked gunmen in the capital, Tripoli, officials say.
Libya's foreign ministry confirmed Fawaz al-Itan's kidnapping to the BBC, adding that his driver was in hospital. Assailants opened fire on Fawaz al-Itan's vehicle, wounding the driver, as they left his house early on Tuesday. They then drove away with the diplomat.
The Jordanian prime minister said that the envoy's release was being negotiated. The Libyan and Jordanian governments have so far received no demands.
Libya has been plagued by instability since armed groups toppled Muammar Gaddafi from power in 2011. It is the latest in a series of abductions in Libya, which has been plagued by instability since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Militiamen The central government has struggled to assert its authority over the armed groups and tribesmen who helped end Col Gaddafi's 41-year rule.
"The Jordanian ambassador was kidnapped this morning. His convoy was attacked by a group of hooded men on board two civilian cars," government spokesman Said Lassoued told AFP news agency. 'Under threat'
On Sunday, Libya's newly appointed Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni stepped down after what he described as a "cowardly attack" on him and his family by a militia. Libyan foreign ministry spokesman Said al-Aswad said it had nothing it could confirm regarding the reasons why Mr Itan had been kidnapped.
Mr Thinni had been appointed as PM after his predecessor Ali Zeidan was sacked for failing to improve security. No-one had claimed responsibility or issued demands, he added.
In January, five Egyptian embassy staff were kidnapped in Tripoli for a few days before being freed. Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour called on the Libyan authorities to do everything possible to secure Mr Itan's release.
Also in January, a South Korean trade official was kidnapped for three days by people thought to be members of a minor armed rebel group, before being freed by security forces. "The Jordanian government holds the kidnapping party responsible for the safety of the ambassador and will take all necessary measures to protect his life and release him," he told parliament in Amman.
Several kidnappings of officials in Libya in previous months have been blamed on militiamen. The ambassador's sister, Khawala al-Itan, told the Associated Press that he had been subject to previous kidnapping attempts and "was always under threat".
They are often paid by the government, but their allegiance and who controls them remain in doubt. Most of the targets of abductions since the revolution have been Libyan officials, including senior members of the government and their families.
There have also been attacks on Westerners in the country. However, in January gunmen detained six Egyptian diplomats and embassy employees for a few days following the arrest of a Libyan militia commander in Egypt.
In January, the bodies of a British man and a woman from New Zealand were discovered near the coastal area of Mellitah, in the west of the country, while an American teacher was shot dead in Benghazi, in the east, in December. There have also been attacks on Westerners.
In January, the bodies of a British man and a woman from New Zealand were discovered near the coastal area of Mellitah, in the west of the country, while an American teacher was shot dead in the eastern city of Benghazi in December.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni said he would step down after what he described as a "cowardly attack" on him and his family by a militia.
He had only been appointed last month after his predecessor, Ali Zeidan, was dismissed by parliament for failing to improve security.