Suspected Manchester bomber's brother held in Libya, confesses IS membership

Tripoli, May 24 (IANS/AKI) Libyan anti-terror police said on Wednesday they arrested the younger brother of Salman Abedi, the suspected Manchester Arena suicide bomber, who allegedly told them they were both members of the Islamic State jihadist group.

Hashem Abedi, 20, was held in the Libyan capital late on Tuesday, the country's anti-terror police said in a Facebook post.

The suspect said he left Britain on April 16 and after that date, had been in constant contact with his brother, police said.

Hashem received 4,000 Libyan dinars ($3,260) from 22-year-old Salman before he allegedly blew himself up at the Manchester Arena on Monday after a concert by US singer Arena Grande, killing 22 people and injuring 64.

IS took credit for the attack, although the claim has not been verified.

Britain-born Abedi has "proven" links with Islamic State, according to France's Interior Minister.

Police arrested 23-year-old brother Isamail Abedi - Salman's older brother - in Manchester on Tuesday.

The Abedis' parents are Libyan-born refugees who fled to Britain to escape ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi but have since returned to their homeland.

--IANS/AKI

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