Libya must free Australian lawyer, says Foreign Minister Bob Carr

FOREIGN Minister Bob Carr will step up pressure on the Libyan Government to release Australian lawyer Melinda Taylor from detention due to concern for her safety.
Ms Taylor was arrested on Thursday while representing the defence for slain dictator Muammar Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam.
She remains in detention in Zintan, Libya. She is one of four International Criminal Court (ICC) staff being held in the country.
Libyan authorities say she was trying to pass documents on to Seif.
Senator Carr has called on Tripoli to guarantee Ms Taylor's security and work toward her immediate release.
"I have asked our Ambassador (David Ritchie) to travel at once to Libya to assist Ms Taylor," Sen Carr said.
He said Libyan authorities should "provide every assistance in securing her release".
The Department of Foreign Affairs has contacted the Libyan ambassador to Australia to support the lawyer's release as consular officials in Libya continue to try to gain access.
Consular staff have also been in touch with Ms Taylor's family.
The International Criminal Court president had expressed concerns about Ms Taylor's safety and that of her colleagues, Sen Carr said.
"I share those concerns, particularly as there has been no contact by consular staff.
"This was an authorised visit to Libya by an independent legal team, ahead of international court proceedings."