fb-pixel Skip to main content

Libyan political activist kidnapped

CAIRO — Armed men abducted a well-known Libyan political activist in the country’s capital, his father said Friday, the latest in rampant attacks that have targeted officials, activists, and foreigners in the strife-torn nation.

The abduction of Abdel-Moaz Banoun came as Tripoli is embroiled in clashes between rival militias. The fighting has killed and wounded dozens on both sides.

Banoun’s father, Abdullah, said his son was taken by two armed men who attacked his car on Thursday. No one has claimed responsibility for the abduction, but the father blamed the militias.

Abdel-Moaz Banoun has been an outspoken critic of the militias and has urged that they be disbanded. He has also advocated the establishment of a unified police and army, which Libya lacks and which successive governments have not managed to form since the 2011 civil war left dictator Moammar Khadafy dead.

An umbrella group for Islamist militias, the Operation Room of Libya’s Revolutionaries, said on its Facebook page that ‘‘troops arrested Abdel-Moaz over allegations that he served under Khadafy’’ and ‘‘instigated rallies against’’ the Islamist militias.