William Hague expresses concern over abduction of Libya Olympic chief

The foreign secretary, William Hague, has said he was concerned about the abduction in Tripoli on Sunday of the president of Libya's Olympic committee, Nabil Elalem. With sporadic armed clashes continuing in the capital, and following a pitched battle last week between security forces and a drugs gang at a house close to the interior ministry headquarters, Hague highlighted the need for Libya's new government, due to take office in the coming weeks after elections earlier this month, to make security a priority. He said this would include persuading the country's powerful militias to integrate into a single army. "We hope there will now be success in the integration of the militias within the authority of the Libyan state and that human rights abuses will be fully dealt with," said Hague. Elalem was taken from his car by armed men after they stopped him while he was driving in the capital. No reason or ransom demand has yet been made public but the abduction, so close to the opening of the Olympic Games, underlines the precarious security situation in the Libyan capital. Hague, on a visit to Tripoli, said he had spoken to key officials and was concerned to hear the report of the kidnapping. The kidnappers have yet to be identified or say why they abducted Elalem, but the deputy chairman of the Libya's ruling National Transitional Council, Mustafa al-Houni, said he hoped Elalem would be freed soon: "We are now clearly coming close to securing the release by the kidnappers," he said. "I hope you will hear good news today or tomorrow." The spokesman for Libya's Olympic committee, Ezz-Edine Journaz, said two vehicles carrying eight or nine gunmen had blocked off Elalem's car. They then dismounted and told him "politely" to come with them. Libyan media reported that the official was led to one of the jeeps and driven away. The news of the abduction has cast a shadow over a modest sporting renaissance seen in Libya since last year's revolution. Earlier this month the national team, playing in the red, green and black of the Libyan flag, reached the final of the Arab Cup of Nations in Saudi Arabia. Libya has never won an Olympic medal. It is due to send small teams to both the Olympics and the Paralympics in the coming days.