Tripoli (AFP)

A Libyan journalist, Rida Fhel el-Boum, was arrested last Saturday at Tripoli airport by the intelligence services which have held him since for unknown reasons, we learned on Tuesday from concordant sources.

Mohamad al-Najem, director of the Libyan Center for Press Freedom, on Tuesday called Mr. el-Boum's detention "enforced disappearance".

"We do not yet know what he is accused of," and "we are continuing contacts to obtain information on his illegal detention," al-Najem told AFP.

For its part, the Interior Ministry of the government of national unity (GNA), an executive based in Tripoli and recognized by the UN, denied any involvement in the journalist's arrest.

According to a press release from the ministry, the journalist was arrested by the intelligence services, an independent body, on his arrival Saturday at Mitiga airport in Tripoli from Tunis.

The ministry asked the intelligence services for "explanations" on "the reasons" motivating the arrest of Mr. el-Boum, describing this measure as "unacceptable".

In a statement, the UN support mission in Libya (Manul) called for the release "without delay" of the journalist or "his appearance before a judicial authority".

Human rights defender and journalist Rida Fhel al-Boum was "arrested and detained at Mitiga airport by an armed group based in Tripoli on Saturday evening, upon his arrival from Tunis," said Manul.

The UN mission called for the protection of journalists and human rights defenders in Libya, "so that they can exercise their work freely".

Mr. el-Boum has collaborated with many Libyan and foreign media and heads the organization "Libyan Independent Media", which he founded in 2018.

The conflict that erupted in early April south of the capital Tripoli, following an offensive launched by the troops of Marshal Khalifa Haftar, exacerbated political and media divisions.

The conflict has increased the vulnerability of journalists, most of whom have left the country.

According to the 2019 press freedom ranking established by RSF, Libya is ranked 162nd out of 180 countries.

© 2019 AFP