Libyan PM Abdullah al-Thinni arrested at Labraq airport

Libya’s internationally recognised government’s prime minister, Abdullah al-Thinni was arrested at Labraq airport on Tuesday afternoon, MaltaToday has learnt.

Al-Thinni was prevented from boarding a flight to Malta by security officials. The Libya Herald reported that the officials were carrying out orders from top military figures, seen as a reference to General Khalifa Hafter.

MaltaToday yesterday could not reliably confirm that gunfire was heard during the standoff at Labraq.

Labraq Airport

It now transpires that al-Thinni was in fact arrested and an investigation by a military court would be launched after the Libyan PM reportedly refused to answer questions.

It is understood that General Hafter is treating the matter as “a legal military order”.

Al-Thinni was meant to address a conference in Malta organised by the Libyan National Oil Corporation. He was scheduled to address international oil contractors early Wednesday morning.

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