Sirte, 23 May:
The Libya Herald has received reports that the Supreme Security Committee (SSC) in Sirte has prevented a potential plot . . .[restrict]to shoot down a plane scheduled to fly a number of Libyan politicians into Sirte international airport.
According to the head of the Sirte SSC, Walid Al-Jareh, a vehicle containing two RPG launchers, an automatic machine gun, several rounds of ammunition and some explosives have been impounded following a fire-fight with the vehicle’s occupants.
“We were, as usual, assigned to secure the airport, and on Monday 21 May an aircraft was expected to land in Sirte with a delegation of politicians on a visit to the city”, Al-Jareh said. “Some members of the SSC spotted a civilian vehicle behind one of the walls surrounding the airport and moved to investigate. However, as soon as they approached the car, they were fired upon and an exchange of fire involving our security personnel took place. The group then fled the scene, leaving behind the car”.
Upon searching the vehicle, the Sirte SSC discovered the cache of weapons inside.
Al-Jareh added that the Sirte SSC is in the process of collecting information, which will then be forwarded to the body’s central office. The car apparently contained no documentation that could indicate the identity or intention of the would-be assailants, but the SSC has said it will seek to identify the car’s owner through its number plates. [/restrict]
