Cautious calm prevails in Libyan capital after clashes

By Walid Abullah

TRIPOLI (AA) – Cautious calm prevailed around Mitiga International Airport in Libyan capital Tripoli on Tuesday, one day after clashes left 20 people dead.

The violence broke out between forces loyal to the UN-backed government and militants aligned with a rival government after the latter had attempted to capture the airport.

“Calm has returned to the area after repelling the attack by a group of criminals,” government spokesman Ahmed bin Salim told Anadolu Agency.

He said the airport has been under the full control of government forces.

Libya's Presidential Council (affiliated with the UN-backed unity government) said Monday’s attacks had been aimed at securing the release of incarcerated Daesh and Al-Qaeda terrorists.

Libya has been dogged by chaos since 2011, when a bloody uprising led to the ouster and death of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

The ensuing power vacuum led to the emergence of several rival seats of government, including one in the city of Tobruk and two others in Tripoli (including the UN-backed unity government), along with a plethora of heavily-armed militia groups.