This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18324501#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Libya militia takes control of Tripoli airport Libya militia takes control of Tripoli airport
(about 2 hours later)
A heavily armed militia has taken over Libya's main airport in the capital, Tripoli, demanding the release of a leader who went missing on Sunday. A heavily armed militia has taken over a runway at Libya's main airport in the capital, Tripoli, demanding the release of a leader who went missing on Sunday.
Militiamen from the al-Awfia brigade entered the airport with tanks and armoured vehicles and occupied the runway, forcing flights to be diverted. But as negotiations failed to progress, security forces and militiamen from other brigades entered the airport vowing to oust the group by force.
It is unclear if the group's commander has been kidnapped or is being held for questioning by the government. The al-Awfia brigade earlier occupied the airport runway with armoured vehicles, forcing flight diversions.
The group is refusing to leave until its demands are met. Gunfire was heard and correspondents say the situation is developing fast.
'Chaotic' The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says it is unclear if gunmen are firing at one another or in the air.
The BBC's Rana Jawad, who was on the tarmac at Tripoli airport, said that at least two dozen armed militiamen are at the scene. Dozens of militiamen from the al-Awfia group have been occupying the airport for hours.
But our correspondent witnessed about 30 armoured vehicles carrying a mixture of security forces and militiamen from various armed brigades entering the airport.
The al-Awfia group is refusing to leave until its demand for a senior commander to be released is met.
But it is unclear whether al-Awfia's commander has been kidnapped or is being held for questioning by the government.
The brigade has placed a pick-up truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun underneath each of the six planes on the tarmac, our correspondent says.The brigade has placed a pick-up truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun underneath each of the six planes on the tarmac, our correspondent says.
She adds adds that the situation is chaotic, although not overtly dangerous at the moment, with reports that the brigade are in negotiations with security officials.
Several trucks carrying Libyan National Army personnel had arrived at the scene, according to our correspondent.
"They are on the runway, in the car park, everywhere," an official told Reuters news agency."They are on the runway, in the car park, everywhere," an official told Reuters news agency.
A representative from the brigade's hometown of Tarhouna in western Libya is at the airport to negotiate with the rebels and convince them to give up their action. A representative from the western town of Tarhouna, where the brigade is based, is at the airport to negotiate with the rebels and convince them to give up their action.
But there is no sign of progress in the negotiations.
Airport sources told the BBC that at least three airlines have cancelled their flights.Airport sources told the BBC that at least three airlines have cancelled their flights.
Several international airlines have resumed flights to Libya, since the end of the conflict which toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Several international airlines have resumed flights to Libya since the end of the conflict which toppled Muammar Gaddafi.
Libya's interim government took control of the airport in Tripoli this April, taking over from militia fighters who had been providing security in the absence of an official force. Libya's interim government seized control of the airport in Tripoli in April, taking over from militia fighters who had been providing security in the absence of an official force.