LIBYA ARMY BASE DEATH TOLL IS 141

Cairo, May 20: A spokesman for Libya’s army said the death toll from a militia attack on an air base in the country’s south has increased to 141, including two civilians.

Colonel Ahmed Mosmary, spokesman for forces loyal to an east-based parliament, said in a news conference late on Friday that the number from Thursday’s attack had increased from 60.

Col. Mosmary said the attack on Buraq al-Shati air base effectively ends the cease-fire brokered by the national unity government between militias and the forces commanded by army chief General Khalifa Hifter in the area.

The UN-backed government’s defence minister and the commander of the militia have both been suspended pending an investigation, BBC reported. The Prime Minister’s office has denied ordering the attack.

The Tripoli government has set up an investigative committee to present its findings to the prime minister within 15 days.

Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 civil war that toppled and killed dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The oilrich nation is now split between rival governments and militias.