Tripoli, 28 May 2013:
Flights to Sebha have been suspended after a group of Tebus closed the airport road in both directions . . .[restrict]last night, turnng back passengers, in protest at the disappearance of Tebu leader Alashei Mahdi. He heads the Qatrun Martyrs Brigade, based in the town.
He disappeared from his hotel in Tripoli on Sunday evening. He was seen getting into a vehicle with two men and has not been heard of since.
A spokesman for the brigade told local reporters said they would continue the protest until the authorities provided information about what had happened to Mahdi and who had arrested him. The spokesman said that if there were no response from the government, further action would be taken.
According to a Tebu spokesman, groups from different organisations and communities in and around Sebha have joined in condemnation at what is seen as a politically motivated kidnapping. “Members of the local council along with Arab tribesmen including the Zway have come to express her opposition to this. Groups have come from Wadi Shatti and from the Warfalla,” said Yusuf Isa.
He said that a statement from the local council was expected tomorrow. [/restrict]