Follow Us on Google
The forces of Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar on Wednesday attacked the only operational airport in Tripoli in a breach of a shaky ceasefire.
A military spokesman for the rival UN-backed government, Mohamed Gnounou who made this known in an online statement, said: “Six rockets struck Mitiga airport in central Tripoli.
“This is a blatant threat to air navigation, and marks a new and repeated violation of the ceasefire.’’
The official did not report casualties or damage.
A ceasefire, called by Russia and Turkey, has been in effect since Jan. 12 in and around Tripoli, the target of a months-long campaign by Haftar’s forces.
Both sides have since traded accusations of breaches.
Wednesday’s alleged attack came amid global efforts to turn the ceasefire between Libya’s warring sides into a durable truce.
On Sunday, international leaders gathered in Berlin and vowed to uphold a UN arms embargo and end military support for Libya’s warring factions in an attempt to halt the country’s long-running conflict.
At the Berlin conference, world powers also agreed to set up a so-called International Follow-Up Committee, which is scheduled to meet for the first time in the German capital in mid-February.
Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Gaddafi and has become a battleground for rival proxy forces.
The oil-rich country has two competing administrations: the Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and supported by the UN, and the Haftar-allied government based in the eastern city of Tobruk.
In April, Haftar ordered his eastern-based forces to seize Tripoli from the rival GNA. (dpa/NAN)
