UK offers support to Libyan PM

Libya's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan spoke at a Cabinet meeting aired live on Libyan TV, following his release from captivity after gunmen abducted him at dawn.

He thanked those who helped free him and said: "We hope this matter will be treated with wisdom and rationality, far from tension."

The White House has condemned the kidnapping of Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan and is pleased that he has been released, a spokesman said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters, "The United States supports Libya's efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the 2011 revolution for a democratic, secure and prosperous Libya, and the people of Libya deserve a democracy based on the rule of law and respect for human rights."

Libyan gunmen seized the prime minister in a luxury hotel where he lives earlier today and held him for several hours before releasing him.

The Prime Minister has tweeted that he has spoken to his Libyan counterpart Ali Zeidan, who was the victim of a reported kidnapping earlier:

Read the full statement from Downing Street here

Read: The Libyan Prime Minister may be free, but the country is not

David Cameron has spoken to his Libyan counterpart Ali Zeidan following his abduction and promised the UK's support to help build a "stable, free, peaceful and prosperous" Libya, the Prime Minister's spokesman said.

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said he welcomes the release of Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan:

In an earlier tweet, he said he has spoken to US Secretary of State John Kerry this morning about the recent developments.

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has been freed by former rebels, government security sources have told Reuters.

Libya's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan is being held at the Interior Ministry's anti-crime department, an official with the department told the state news agency.

Zeidan was seized by former rebels who blamed him for the government's role in the US capture of a top al-Qaeda suspect in Tripoli.

The former rebels were working for the Interior Ministry to provide security in the capital.

Read: Libyan PM 'in good health'

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan is "in good health and being treated well", the state news agency reported, citing an official.

Read: Ex-Libyan rebels seized PM over al-Qaeda capture