Brigadier General Mustafa Al-Wahishi, head of the Libyan Intelligence Service’s Central Security Department, has been released following his abduction in Tripoli last week.
His release, which occurred late on Tuesday, remains shrouded in mystery, as no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
The moment of Al-Wahishi’s return was captured on video, which quickly spread across social media.
The footage showed the general being warmly welcomed by his family and friends at his home, with visible relief and joy as he was reunited with loved ones.
Al-Wahishi, a native of Zintan, was taken on Wednesday while returning from work in Tripoli.
Despite the widespread attention the case has garnered, the identity of the kidnappers has not been publicly revealed.
However, there is growing suspicion that elements of the defunct Government of National Unity may have been involved in the incident.
The abduction sparked outrage in Zintan, with the local population voicing their anger over the event.
In response, the armed forces declared a general alarm and threatened to shut down the “Al-Rayina” oil pipeline, a critical infrastructure link between the north and south of the country, if Al-Wahishi was not released.
On Tuesday, videos surfaced showing large military convoys from Zintan heading towards Tripoli, further escalating tensions.
The convoys were heavily armed, leading to fears that armed groups might resort to violence, with the potential for retaliation from Zintan militants.
The situation has heightened concerns about the fragile security landscape in Libya, where political and military rivalries continue to fuel instability.
While the general’s return is a relief, the circumstances surrounding his abduction and the ongoing unrest signal deeper challenges in the country’s path to recovery.
