TRIPOLI (AFP) - Libya's interim prime minister Abdullah al-Thani stepped down on Sunday, saying that he and his family had been the victims of an armed attack the previous day, a statement said.

Mr Thani quit less than a week after Parliament tasked him on Tuesday with forming a new Cabinet, just weeks after it ousted his predecessor for failing to rein in the lawlessness gripping the North African country.

His statement said he would not accept the premiership after a "traitorous attack" on himself and his family, but added that he would act in a caretaker capacity until a new prime minister is appointed.