A team of seven Iranian humanitarian workers were abducted by a rebel brigade in Libyan eastern city Benghazi, a security source said Wednesday.

The source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the abduction occurred Tuesday and the Iranian Red Crescent team are held by the rebel brigade, an "extremist Islamist group."

"All members of the Iranian delegation are in good health, but they are under investigation about whether they have any agenda of spreading the Shiite doctrine in Libya or not," he said, stressing that they will be released as soon as the investigation is completed.

Wanis Alshariff, assistant minister of interior in the east region, told Xinhua that the Iranians are safe, while the kidnappers are demanding Iran to intervene in releasing dozens of Libyans arrested in Iraqi prisons.

The Libyan Red Crescent Association has asked the kidnappers to release the Iranians.

According to the association, the Iranian team arrived in Benghazi by air early Tuesday morning on an invitation and with valid entry visa.

In a statement, of which Xinhua got a copy, the association said the Iranian humanitarian workers were invited to Libya for their efforts to support and assist Libyans in the unrest last year. The group had a meeting with the Libyan Red Crescent Association secretary general and other officials to discuss their future cooperation.

An official of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed the abduction. The official told Xinhua that the Iranian team's car was stopped by the kidnappers on their way back to hotel in Benghazi.

The ICRC called the kidnappers to release the aid workers, stressing that they are guests working officially to support Libya 's relief work.