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The Libyan authorities had arrested 19 journalists and a senior media executive
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A group of journalists arrested in Libya have been released on the order of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan media report.
Authorities had arrested 19 journalists and a senior media executive, reportedly as part of a power struggle inside the ruling elite.
The journalists work for the Libya Press news agency, affiliated to a firm founded by one Col Gaddafi's sons.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is seen a reformist and critic of conservatives.
In its first mention of the arrests Libya's official Jana news agency said Col Gaddafi had intervened on the journalists' behalf.
"The Libyan news agency learned last night that the Leader of the Revolution [Col Gaddafi] had issued instructions to release the journalists belonging to Libya Press and ordered an investigation into the matter," it said.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is seen by some as a possible successor to his father
The journalists - who are of various nationalities, including Libyans, Egyptians and Tunisians - were arrested by security forces in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in the last few days.
Also detained was the deputy head of al-Ghad, the media company founded by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, which owns Libya Press and several other media outlets.
No reasons were given for the arrests.
Correspondents say the arrests may reflect a wider internal struggle between reformers and conservatives.
Correspondents say Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the second of the Libyan leader's seven sons, is popular among Libyans pushing for reform.
He is seen by some as a possible successor to his father.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
The Libyan authorities had arrested 19 journalists and a senior media executive Related stories
A group of journalists arrested in Libya have been released on the order of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Libyan media report.
Authorities had arrested 19 journalists and a senior media executive, reportedly as part of a power struggle inside the ruling elite.
The journalists work for the Libya Press news agency, affiliated to a firm founded by one Col Gaddafi's sons.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is seen a reformist and critic of conservatives.
In its first mention of the arrests Libya's official Jana news agency said Col Gaddafi had intervened on the journalists' behalf.
"The Libyan news agency learned last night that the Leader of the Revolution [Col Gaddafi] had issued instructions to release the journalists belonging to Libya Press and ordered an investigation into the matter," it said.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is seen by some as a possible successor to his father The journalists - who are of various nationalities, including Libyans, Egyptians and Tunisians - were arrested by security forces in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in the last few days.
Also detained was the deputy head of al-Ghad, the media company founded by Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, which owns Libya Press and several other media outlets.
No reasons were given for the arrests.
Correspondents say the arrests may reflect a wider internal struggle between reformers and conservatives.
Correspondents say Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the second of the Libyan leader's seven sons, is popular among Libyans pushing for reform.
He is seen by some as a possible successor to his father.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.