6 killed, 25 injured in Libya airport clashes

At least six people have been killed and 25 others wounded in clashes between Libyan rival militias over the control of an airport in the capital Tripoli.

The battle occurred in Tripoli International Airport on Sunday between the militias from the town of Zintan, who have controlled the airport since the overthrow of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and their rivals.

Libya’s interim government condemned the violence, calling it “illegitimate”.

“The government is demanding that the attackers unconditionally and immediately stop military action,” Libyan interim government spokesman Ahmed Lamin said on the same day.

“We hold the leaders of these groups fully responsible legally for the use of weapons, shedding the blood of the people, especially in the holy month of Ramadan,” Lamin added.

The government officials also declared that due to security reasons, the airport will be shut down for three days.

Nearly three years after the fall of Gaddafi, Libya is still grappling with rising insecurity as the country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups.

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

Thousands of angry Libyan demonstrators have frequently taken to the streets in different cities to protest against lack of security across the North African country.