Libyan PM released

Libya's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan speaks during a joint news conference with Oil Minister Abdelbari al-Arusi at the Prime Minister's Office in Tripoli July 31, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

TRIPOLI - Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan was freed on Thursday morning, a few hours after being seized by armed men, Libyan News Agency reported.

Zeidan was rescued by the Libyan authorities, the agency quoted a spokesman of the Libyan government as saying.

The government spokesman said that more details of the operation would be disclosed soon.

An armed group, believed to be former rebels, stormed Corinthia Hotel in downtown Tripoli around 3:00 a.m. and took Zeidan to an unknown location.

Although the rebels said in a statement that Zeidan was "lawfully" arrested for alleged bribery, Justice Minister Salah Marghani denied issuing any "assignment" to arrest Zeidan.

The seizure came amid accusations that Zeidan had previous acknowledge of the U.S. raid in Tripoli to capture alleged al-Qaida suspect Abu Anas Al-Libi on October 5.