TRIPOLI, July 22: The president of Libya’s Olympic Committee was freed on Sunday a week after he was taken from his car by gunmen in Tripoli.

Nabil al-Alam was with an colleague last Sunday when two cars carrying armed men in military-style clothing blocked the road, colleagues said. The men told him he had to go with them and sped away, leaving his colleague behind.

There had been no news about his whereabouts since. His brother confirmed that he had been freed.

“I have no idea who obtained his release but he was brought home this morning by the supreme security committee,” said Saleh al-Alam. “He is fine and in good health,” he added, stressing there had been no ransom paid on the family’s part.

Libya’s representatives to the London Olympic Games left for the British capital on Saturday ahead of the July 27 opening.

The small delegation is set to compete in judo, swimming, athletics and weight-lifting.—AP