Ashraf Abdul Wahab TRIPOLI – A convoy of pilgrims setting off for Makkah was robbed at gunpoint in the early hours of Friday morning on the road between Gharyan and Tripoli. The convoy of 21 vehicles included a Mitsubishi van which was carrying luggage. The van was reportedly ambushed by an armed group in a blue Toyota Camry, with tinted windows and no number plates, when the convoy crossed the Zahra bridge. The assailants, described as being between the ages of 35 and 40, stopped the van and threatened the driver and a passenger with weapons. They are said to have escaped with some $6,000. The first batch of Libyan pilgrims left Tripoli Mitiga Airport on Sept. 30 to perform pilgrimage. Minister of Endowment and Islamic affairs, Ali Mohamed Hamouda joined ministry officials and families of the 150 pilgrims to bid them farewell. — Libya Herald
