Government forces retake Libya town

FORCES allied with the UN-supported government in Libya said they retook another key western town from rival forces, another blow illustrating how Turkey’s support has reversed the tide of the war in the oil-rich country. Mohamed Gnono, spokesman for the Tripoli-allied forces, said their Turkish-backed units entered the town of Tarhouna, 45 miles south east of Tripoli. Tarhouna served as a main stronghold for commander Khalifa Hifter’s east-based forces in their campaign to capture Tripoli from the west-based government of national accord.

Mr Hifter, who leads the selfstyled Libyan Arab Armed Forces, launched his offensive in April last year.