Gunmen try to storm Libyan army command HQ

Heavily armed gunmen have attempted to storm the Libyan army command headquarters in the capital Tripoli, but there are no immediate reports of any casualties.

On Thursday, the attackers clashed with army soldiers at the army chief of staff headquarters in the south of Tripoli before stealing a handful of assault rifles and several vehicles, according to military sources.

“We clashed with them when they tried to enter, but they left,” Ali al-Sheikhi, an army spokesman, said.

One army source at the base said gunmen stole a few Kalashnikov rifles and at least four cars, adding that the clash took place at the gate of the command building.

Libya has been plagued by assassinations and abductions of political and security officials blamed on militias that emerged after the 2011 revolution.

Libyans rose up against former dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s four-decade rule in February 2011 and deposed him in August 2011. He was slain on October 20 of the same year.

Since 2011, Benghazi has been the scene of numerous attacks and assassinations amidst increasing power struggle among several militias who fought against Gaddafi during the uprising.

The former rebels refuse to lay down their arms, despite efforts by the central government to impose law and order.

Over the past few months, Tripoli and its suburbs have been hit by violent clashes between rival militias.

In an interview with Press TV in October last year, political commentator Johnny Miller said that Libya is on the verge of becoming a failed state.

Libya “really is close to being a failed state. I mean you have the situation where the government is very, very weak. You have the streets ruled by militias, affiliated with the government, but also acting unilaterally by themselves,” he said.