Libya's ousted prime minister has given his first interview since he left the country, saying parliament's dismissal of him was invalid while accusing his Islamist rivals of working against him.

Ali Zeidan told private television station Libya Ahrar in an interview aired today that he was advised by allies in the parliament to leave the country after he was voted out of office over concerns about his safety and to avoid getting arrested.

Mr Zeidan also said Islamists miscounted the votes to oust him.

Parliament voted Mr Zeidan, a secularist, out of office on Tuesday. He then left the country for Europe, though it is unclear where he is now. He says he will only return to Libya when his safety is guaranteed.

His defence minister, Abdullah al-Thinni, was named interim prime minister.

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