Kidnapped Libyan PM has been freed

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has been freed from captivity, according to the country’s Foreign Ministry.

Zeidan was kidnapped earlier on Thursday by armed rebels in Tripoli. Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdelazis confirmed Zeidan’s release.

The PM’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.