Libyan gov't says held pro-Haftar soldiers in Tripoli

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI (AA) – Forces of the UN-backed unity government claimed Tuesday to have captured a group of soldiers affiliated with East Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar.

A statement issued by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) did not give details about the number of the captured soldiers, saying that it also seized a tank and an armored vehicle from Haftar's forces south of Tripoli.

There was no comment from Haftar's forces on the claim.

Earlier Tuesday, the GNA forces carried out an airstrike on a military camp of Haftar's forces in the southern city of Al-Jufrah.

Earlier this month, Haftar, who commands forces loyal to East Libya-based government, launched a military campaign to capture Tripoli, where the GNA is based.

The GNA announced Monday that at least 76 people, including 24 civilians, had been killed since clashes erupted in the surroundings of capital Tripoli.

Since the 2011 ouster of late strongman Muammar Gaddafi, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN support.