Jordan's ambassador to Libya kidnapped after gunmen attack his car

A Libyan official said gunmen have abducted Jordan's ambassador to Tripoli.

Libya's foreign ministry spokesman Said al-Aswad said several masked gunmen in civilian clothes and in two cars attacked the car of Ambassador Fawaz al-Etan on Tuesday morning in Tripoli.

Al-Aswad says the assailants opened fire at the ambassador's vehicle, wounding his driver and forcing Mr. al-Etan out at gunpoint.

Sabah al-Rafie, spokeswoman for the Jordanian foreign ministry, confirmed the kidnapping. She had no further details but said the Jordanian government was following the matter closely with the Libyan authorities.

Abductions have been rife in Libya since the 2011 uprising that resulted in the toppling of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Officials are most often targeted but diplomats and journalists have also frequently been subjected to kidnappings, threats and attacks.