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Libyan rival militias clash near Tripoli airport Libyan rival militias clash near Tripoli airport
(about 3 hours later)
Fighting has broken out between rival militias near the international airport in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. At least six people have been killed and 25 hurt in clashes between rival militias at Libya's airport near the capital, Tripoli, officials say.
Anti-Islamist rebels from the Zintan region who control the airport have been attacked by a rival group trying to take over the area. Rebels from the Zintan region who control the international airport have been attacked by a rival group trying to take over the area.
Flights to and from the airport have been suspended amid reports of heavy explosions and gunfire. Flights have been suspended amid reports of heavy shelling and gunfire.
Zintan fighters have been resisting Islamist attempts to grab power since the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Libyan leaders have struggled to bring stability to the country since Muammar Gaddafi was removed from power in 2011.
They took control of the airport and surrounding areas, 30km (18 miles) south of Tripoli, shortly after the colonel's 42-year-rule came to an end.
Analysis: Rana Jawad, BBC News, TripoliAnalysis: Rana Jawad, BBC News, Tripoli
Although some of the rival militias who attacked airport road are known as Islamists - this is not a clear-cut battle of ideologies. At the heart of this fighting is a turf war between militias that has been brewing in the capital for a long time.Although some of the rival militias who attacked airport road are known as Islamists - this is not a clear-cut battle of ideologies. At the heart of this fighting is a turf war between militias that has been brewing in the capital for a long time.
We periodically see clashes like this on a smaller scale - the difference today is some have formed alliances with either side and in the years gone by, they've grown more powerful and hungrier for power.We periodically see clashes like this on a smaller scale - the difference today is some have formed alliances with either side and in the years gone by, they've grown more powerful and hungrier for power.
Tripoli is divided along district lines with local militias controlling their areas and others from outside the capital who at different times were on various government payrolls. But there has long been a belief that those who control key instillations are the ones who yield the most power over the capital.Tripoli is divided along district lines with local militias controlling their areas and others from outside the capital who at different times were on various government payrolls. But there has long been a belief that those who control key instillations are the ones who yield the most power over the capital.
There was a reported meeting between the rival militias overnight to calm recent tensions. They allegedly agreed that there would not be clashes in Tripoli. This is clearly far from what came next.There was a reported meeting between the rival militias overnight to calm recent tensions. They allegedly agreed that there would not be clashes in Tripoli. This is clearly far from what came next.
Zintan fighters seized control of the airport and surrounding areas, 30km (18 miles) south of Tripoli, shortly after Col Gaddafi's 42-year-rule came to an end.
It is not clear who the attacking rebels are, but Libyan media report they call themselves the Stability and Security Force.It is not clear who the attacking rebels are, but Libyan media report they call themselves the Stability and Security Force.
Armed vehicles massed in the area overnight before fighting broke out at dawn, witnesses told CNN.Armed vehicles massed in the area overnight before fighting broke out at dawn, witnesses told CNN.
The BBC's Rana Jawad, in Tripoli, says there have recently been threats from various militias wanting to seize the airport area.The BBC's Rana Jawad, in Tripoli, says there have recently been threats from various militias wanting to seize the airport area.
Libyan leaders have been struggling to bring stability to the country, which is home to a complex web of armed groups that emerged from the aftermath of the civil war. The situation in Libya remains unstable as a complex web of armed groups, which emerged from the aftermath of the civil war, are fighting for power.
Analysts say the rebels are seen by Libyans as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, in the absence of an effective army, they provide security across much of the country and protect the borders.Analysts say the rebels are seen by Libyans as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, in the absence of an effective army, they provide security across much of the country and protect the borders.
On the other, they have been accused of human rights abuses, unlawful detention and of taking the law into their own hands.On the other, they have been accused of human rights abuses, unlawful detention and of taking the law into their own hands.