UPDATE - Libya: Clashes renew as rivals seek to control Tripoli

ADDS FURTHER DETAILS

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI (AA) – Fresh clashes erupted between rival forces south of Tripoli on Monday amid an attempt by East Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar to wrestle control of the Libyan capital, according to a military source.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the violence renewed in al-Khula, south of Tripoli, after an attempt by Haftar’s forces to advance toward Salahuddin district in the capital.

He said Haftar’s forces managed to seize control of al-Yarmouk camp in southern Tripoli.

Another military source, however, said forces aligned with the UN-recognized government recaptured al-Yarmouk camp from Haftar’s troops.

“Government forces are clearing the area around the camp,” the source said, without giving any further details.

In early April, Haftar, who commands forces loyal to Libya’s eastern government, launched a campaign to capture Tripoli from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

Since then, the oil-rich country has seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, to which Haftar is affiliated, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN recognition.