On 6 August, the air traffic control chief at Misrata Airport was allegedly detained after the flight carrying Ministry of Defense Undersecretary for Regions and Military Affairs Lieutenant General Abdul Salam Zoubi was diverted to Tripoli-Mitiga amid a fuel outage that left Misrata’s generators unable to operate. Reportedly, the incident began when the aircraft requested clearance to land, but the air‑navigation director informed the tower of its arrival before standard operational procedures were completed. The tower chief ultimately redirected the flight based on safety assessments and available technical data, acting within professional regulations.
Zoubi ordered military police to arrest him despite the decision being grounded in aviation‑safety requirements. Libyan aviation sources stressed that interference in air‑traffic controllers’ operational judgments poses risks to civil aviation, noting that controllers must prioritize the safety of aircraft, passengers and crews above all else. They added that any dispute over flight operations should be handled through formal investigations and legal review to preserve confidence in the aviation sector and protect public safety.