Ain Zara councillor released as municipality stops work in protest at abduction

By Saber Ayyub.

Tripoli, 11 February 2016:

Ain Zara councillor Mohamed Margheni who was abducted along with his office manager yesterday afternoon was . . .[restrict]released in the early hours of this morning. Meanwhile, the municipal council has announced that it is suspending work in protest at the abductions.

According to the municipality media office, Margheni was abducted by a group opposed to the work he was doing with the municipality.

However, it appears that, as reported last night, a power struggle was the reason for the abduction. A council source has told this newspaper that those behind the incident had been trying to sack Mayor Abdulwahad Baloog and were hoping for Margheni’s cooperation. He, however, had refused and so was abducted in revenge.

Margheni had been involved in Baloog’s sacking last October, but since then the latter has returned to office with the backing of all the councillors.

Following his release this morning both Marghani and Baloog were photographed walking side by side, indicating the strength of their current relationship. [/restrict]