US denounces threats against Libyan PM

Libya's PM Abdullah al-Thani stepped down, saying he and his family had been the victims of a "traitorous" armed attack

The United States has denounced as "unconscionable" threats made against the Libyan prime minister and cabinet members, saying the country needed to move forward.

"At a time when Libya most needs political consensus to move forward its democratic transition, extortion by physical attack must not hijack the process of peaceful dialogue," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said yesterday in a statement.

Libya's prime minister Abdullah al-Thani stepped down on Sunday, saying he and his family had been the victims of a "traitorous" armed attack the previous day that had also terrorised his neighbours.

Thani quit less than a week after parliament tasked him with forming a new cabinet and a month after it ousted his predecessor for failing to rein in the lawlessness gripping the North African country.

"Threats of violence to the prime minister or others are unconscionable and we condemn them in the strongest terms," Psaki said.

"The United States urges all Libyans to work together to find common ground to ensure security and good governance for their country so that they can move forward in their democratic transition."

Thani, who was defence minister under ousted premier Ali Zeidan, had only been named on Tuesday, but there had been controversy about his appointment.