Former Libyan PM returns to Libya

Former Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan defied the Libyan Public Prosecutor yesterday and returned to his home city Al-Bayda, in the east of the country, the Anadolu news agency said.

This is the second time Zeidan defies the decision of the Public Prosecutor, on March 11 he left the country following his ouster as prime minister. The Public Prosecutor had banned him from leaving the country based on accusations that he had misused public funds in the 2013 budget, when he was prime minister.

Speaking to local TV he said: “Ousting the government is a violation of the Constituent Declaration and the procedures that govern the work of the General National Congress [the temporary parliament].”

Zeidan said that the decision to ban him from leaving the country was “political”. He said that he returned to the country to continue his political strife and activities. “I will temporarily stay in Al-Bayda with my family and friends.”

Regarding leaving the country when he was banned from travel, he said he did so to maintain public order and “to reveal the practices and violations” committed by the Libyan parliament.