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 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Libya militia takes control of Tripoli airport | Libya militia takes control of Tripoli airport |
(40 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. |
But as negotiations failed to progress, security forces and militiamen from other brigades entered the airport vowing to oust the group by force. | But as negotiations failed to progress, security forces and militiamen from other brigades entered the airport vowing to oust the group by force. |
The al-Awfia brigade earlier occupied the airport runway with armoured vehicles, forcing flight diversions. | The al-Awfia brigade earlier occupied the airport runway with armoured vehicles, forcing flight diversions. |
Gunfire was heard and correspondents say the situation is developing fast. | Gunfire was heard and correspondents say the situation is developing fast. |
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 in Tripoli says it is unclear if gunmen are firing at one another or in the air. |
Dozens of militiamen from the al-Awfia group have been occupying the airport for hours. | 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. | But our correspondent witnessed about 30 armoured vehicles carrying a mixture of security forces and militiamen from various armed brigades entering the airport. |
'No progress' | |
The al-Awfia group is refusing to leave until its demand for a senior commander to be released is met. | The al-Awfia group is refusing to leave until its demand for a senior commander to be released is met. |
The situation at the airport is volatile and developing quickly. As we were leaving, we saw about 30 armoured vehicles heading rapidly into the airport. | |
The trucks were carrying a mixture of national army personnel, members of militias such as the Tripoli Brigade and armed men from a group called the Supreme Security Council. | |
One member of the Tripoli Brigade said they were moving in to take out the militia by force as negotiations had failed. | |
There was a lot of gunfire and as we were moving away, one bullet flew right past us. | |
But it is unclear whether al-Awfia's commander has been kidnapped or is being held for questioning by the government. | 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. |
"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 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
The incident comes as Libya's governing National Transitional Council prepares for to hold elections for a constituent assembly in the coming weeks. |