Three British women travelling in an aid convoy were raped after being kidnapped in Benghazi, Libyan authorities say.
Two of the women, who are of Pakistani origin, were travelling with two male companions on their way to the airport when they were snatched by pro-government militiamen.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Awad al Barassi, has visited the women in hospital and said that they were in "very bad shape" following the ordeal on Tuesday.
The women had been travelling with other activists as part of a convoy bound for Gaza to break and Israeli blockade, according to officials.
The organisation responsible for the mission negotiated with the kidnappers for the group's release.
Mr al Barassi said that the women were abducted by a taxi driver and a group of men in military uniforms, then attacked and robbed.
Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement: "We are aware of an incident in Libya involving a number of British nationals who were part of an aid convoy. We are providing consular assistance."
Pakistani Foreign Ministry Aizaz Ahmad Chaudry said that the Pakistani embassy in Libya had lodged a strong protest with Libyan authorities.
He said: "A heinous crime has been committed against these female activists."
Less than two years after the uprising that ended with the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is struggling to build a unified army and police force amid increasingly powerful militias.
The government depends on some of the militias to fill the security vacuum.
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