By Libya Herald reporter.
Tripoli, 6 August 2017:
The families of militiamen from Zawia held on terrorist-linked charges in Saudi Arabia have threatened to block supplies of petrol and aviation fuel from Zawia refinery to Tripoli unless the Presidency Council secures their release.
The families have said they will prevent fuel tankers leaving Zawia refinery and to turn off valves of fuel pipelines.
In late June, the Saudis arrested Zawia militiamen Mahmud Ben Rajab and Mohamed Al-Khadrawi at Jeddah airport as they were preparing to leave after performing Umrah. They were arrested at the request of the Egyptian authorities who allege the two were involved in the kidnapping of five Egyptian diplomats in Tripoli in January 2014.
The Saudis then arrested two more Zawia militiamen, Hussein Zahait and Abdul-Ghani Mohamed Ammar Abdullah. They had also been performing Umrah. They are said to have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorism.
It was subsequently reported that Riyadh had agreed to hand over the four to the Egyptians, but it is believed that they are still being held by the Saudis.
Four weeks ago, Presidency Council head Faiez Serraj met with the families of the four men and told them that Libyan diplomats in Saudi Arabia were working to ensure their legal rights and safety there.
