Schools closed in Libyan capital amid violence

By Jabbour Dokn

TRIPOLI (AA) – Classes at schools across Libyan capital Tripoli were cancelled on Wednesday amid clashes between government forces and a rival militia.

In a Facebook post, the Tripoli municipal council said schools will remain closed until “stability and calm are restored”.

The violence broke out on Tuesday after forces loyal to the unity government launched a military operation against a rival militia in western Tripoli.

The clashes later extended to other parts of the Libyan capital.

UN envoy Martin Kobler, for his part, called for an immediate cease-fire in Tripoli.

“Civilians [are] at grave risk in ongoing clashes,” he tweeted.

“Repeated violence in Tripoli again demonstrates the need for united, professional security forces to protect the Libyan people,” he said.

Libya has been wracked by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody uprising ended with the ouster and death of Muammar Gaddafi after 42 years in power.

In the wake of the uprising, the country’s stark political divisions yielded two rival seats of government, one in Tobruk and the other in Tripoli.