Monday, 24 November 2014

Libya air strike hits Tripolis's last functioning airport

Libya air strike hits Tripoli's last functioning airport

Libyan soldiers at Maitiga air baseLibyan soldiers left from Maitiga in June to go to Britain for training
An unidentified jet has carried out two attacks on Maitiga air base in Tripoli, the Libyan capital's last functioning airport.
The strikes hit an area near the runway without damaging it. There was no confirmation of any casualties.
The coalition of militias that controls Tripoli called it a "provocative" move by foreign-backed forces.
Local media reports said flights were initially redirected to the city of Misrata but later resumed at Maitiga.
Airlines have been using Maitiga, a military air base, since July when fighting caused severe damage to Tripoli's main international airport.
A commander of the Libya Dawn militia coalition, Salah al-Berki, called on "the revolutionaries in Tripoli to maintain all their positions in their bases".
Forces loyal to former general Khalifa Haftar in BenghaziEx-general Haftar's forces, seen here in Benghazi, have been battling Islamist groups
He said those who tried to destabilise Tripoli would be met "with an iron fist".
The commander blamed the attack on ex-general Khalifa Haftar, whose forces, supported by the Libyan army and air force, have been fighting Islamist militants in eastern Libya.
Mr al-Berki said the ex-general's forces were also "backed by foreign governments". He gave no further details.
No-one has said they were behind the attack on Maitiga.
Tripoli has been taken over by Islamist and other militias, which have set up an alternative government to the elected parliament based in the coastal town of Tobruk in eastern Libya.
Rival political factions - including militias that have refused to disband since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 - are battling each other for control of Libya.

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