In the evening of March 11, former Libyan prime minister Ali Zeidan (inset) leaves Tripoli, Libya, on board a Libyan aircraft bound for Switzerland. The flight is diverted to Malta. Zeidan lands at around 8pm then boards a Maltese private jet for Germany at 10pm. Graphic: Design Studio Allied Newspapers

Former Libyan prime minister Ali Zeidan did not ask for political asylum during a two-hour stopover in Malta after fleeing Libya on Tuesday.

Shortly after being ousted by parliament Mr Zeidan defied a travel ban and boarded a Libyan aircraft, which sources said was bound for Switzerland.

However, for some reason the aircraft was diverted to Malta and landed in Gudja at around 8pm. Two hours later Mr Zeidan boarded a Maltese private jet and departed for Germany.

“Mr Zeidan was treated like any other passenger and passed through normal channels,” a source told this newspaper.

The Libyan jet he arrived on returned to Tripoli yesterday morning. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat spoke to Mr Zeidan, describing his short stay as a “re-fuelling stop”.

“Mr Zeidan than proceeded to another European country,” Dr Muscat told TVM.

A senior government source later told Times of Malta Mr Zeidan did not ask to be granted asylum, refuting media speculation that he sought Malta’s protection.

The Dubai-based Al Arabiya news channel yesterday reported that Mr Zeidan was in Dusseldorf, Germany.

An official from the German embassy could not say whether Mr Zeidan had asked for political asylum in his country.

“The German embassy does not have any information regarding your inquiry,” said Reinhold Neukoetter, the deputy head of mission.

It is not yet clear what Mr Zeidan’s intentions are but in Libya he will be investigated for alleged financial corruption and other irregularities.

It was this investigation that prompted the State prosecutor to issue a travel ban on Mr Zeidan.

News of the investigation came on the same day Mr Zeidan lost a vote of confidence in parliament. Lawmakers were angered by his inaction to prevent a North Korean ship full of oil from leaving the eastern port city of Al Sidra.

The port is controlled by eastern rebels who have defied the central government’s authority and clamoured for a higher share of oil money. Mr Zeidan threatened to blow up the ship if it left port but on Tuesday rebels announced the vessel had escaped a naval blockade and sailed to international waters.

Libya’s government has proved powerless to rein in former rebel militias that helped oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The militias still control large swathes of the country.

In October last year Mr Zeidan was briefly kidnapped by a militia group from the Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli. Last month he also flew unexpectedly to Malta while on a flight from Switzerland.The government cited technical reasons.

After Tuesday’s developments Mr Zeidan was temporarily replaced by defence minister Abdallah al-Thinni.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com