Rebels step up assault on Tripoli despite UN pleas for a ceasefire
FIGHTING has flared in the suburbs of Tripoli as Gen Khalifa Haftar’s selfstyled Libyan National Army (LNA) intensified its assault, despite a United Nations appeal for a ceasefire.
The UN called for an “urgent” twohour truce to allow the evacuation of civilians and the wounded from southern parts of the capital, where troops loyal to the internationally recognised government of national accord were battling to halt the LNA assault.
But the violence saw no sign of abating yesterday, with Gen Haftar’s forces launching at least one air strike. Witnesses reported hearing rockets firing to the south of the city.
It was the LNA’S first use of air power in the battle and followed pro-government air raids on Saturday.
Clashes were concentrated in Wadi Raba, a farming area, and the disused international airport, 15 miles south of the capital. Gen Haftar’s forces claimed to have seized the airport on Saturday.
Col Mohamed Gnounou, a spokesman for pro-government forces, said a counter offensive had been launched to push Gen Haftar back.
Pro-government forces have been reinforced by powerful militia groups from the northwestern cities of Misrata, Zintan and Zawiya. At least one armed group from Misrata, known as Brigade 166, arrived in eastern Tripoli on Saturday, according to the AFP news agency. The health ministry in Tripoli said at least 21 people were killed and 27 wounded in the fighting.
The US, which maintains a small military contingent to protect diplomatic facilities and help local forces fight alqaeda, said it was withdrawing some of its troops for security reasons. Gen Thomas Waldhauser described the situation as “complex and unpredictable”.
Libya has been divided between various armed groups since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The main centres of power are the Tripoli-based government and a rival administration allied to Gen Haftar in the east.
Gen Haftar has portrayed himself as a bulwark against militant Islamists and has received military backing from Egypt, France, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. Critics say he wants to be a Gaddafi-style dictator.
His assault is seen as an attempt to change the facts on the ground ahead of a Un-sponsored national reconciliation conference later this month.