Libya Dawn stops Al-Thani from travelling

Libya’s internationally-backed Tobruk government yesterday accused the Libya Dawn Air Force Commander Brigadier General Saqr Jeroshi of giving orders to militants to prevent Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thani’s airplane from travelling to Malta on Tuesday via Al-Abraq International Airport, in Al-Bayda.

“An armed group claiming subordination to the General Command of the Libyan army has prevented Prime Minister Mr Abdullah Al-Thani from travel to Malta via Al-Abraq International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, to attend an oil conference prepared by the Libyan National Oil Company with the participation of more than 30 contracting oil companies,” the government said in statement.

The government has condemned the incident saying the armed group has rebelled against the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Armed Forces Aqila Saleh’s orders by preventing Al-Thani’s airplane from taking off, stressing that the incident “shows real rebellion against the state”.

This is not the first time that gunmen in Al-Abraq International Airport prevent the head of the Tobruk-based government from traveling through the airport.

Six months ago, Al-Thani was prevented from travelling to Tunisia on an official visit.