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New rocket attack on Tripoli airport | New rocket attack on Tripoli airport |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Libya's main international airport has been hit by a new rocket attack a day after fighting forced it to close. | Libya's main international airport has been hit by a new rocket attack a day after fighting forced it to close. |
At least one person has died and 12 planes have been damaged at Tripoli airport. | At least one person has died and 12 planes have been damaged at Tripoli airport. |
A government spokesman said Libya was considering calling for international forces to help re-establish security. | A government spokesman said Libya was considering calling for international forces to help re-establish security. |
Libyan leaders have struggled to bring stability to the country since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in 2011, with rival armed groups competing for power. | Libyan leaders have struggled to bring stability to the country since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in 2011, with rival armed groups competing for power. |
On Sunday, militia including members of the Libya Revolutionaries Operations Room (LROR) tried to seize control of the airport from the Zintan militia, which has controlled it since Gaddafi was toppled. | |
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says both militias are believed to be on the official payroll. | |
A security source told the BBC that the airport was attacked by a "large number of rockets, including Grad rockets" on Monday evening. | A security source told the BBC that the airport was attacked by a "large number of rockets, including Grad rockets" on Monday evening. |
They said one person from the force protecting the airport had been killed and six others injured and that the control tower had been hit by rocket fire. | They said one person from the force protecting the airport had been killed and six others injured and that the control tower had been hit by rocket fire. |
All flights to and from the airport have been suspended until at least Wednesday. | All flights to and from the airport have been suspended until at least Wednesday. |
Government spokesman Ahmed Lamine said that 90% of the planes stationed at the airport had been destroyed. | Government spokesman Ahmed Lamine said that 90% of the planes stationed at the airport had been destroyed. |
"The government has studied the possibility to bring international forces to enhance security," he said at a press conference. | "The government has studied the possibility to bring international forces to enhance security," he said at a press conference. |
"This would give the government time to build the state and institutions," he added. | "This would give the government time to build the state and institutions," he added. |
He said millions of dollars worth of damage had been caused by the fighting. | He said millions of dollars worth of damage had been caused by the fighting. |
Analysis: Rana Jawad, BBC News, Tripoli | Analysis: Rana Jawad, BBC News, Tripoli |
The extent of the damage to the airport is not yet clear but some say it could take months before it reopens. | The extent of the damage to the airport is not yet clear but some say it could take months before it reopens. |
Very little shocks Libyans these days, but the latest attack on this vital lifeline has left many at a loss for words. They didn't think any militia would ever go that far - it was raining Grad rockets across the airport and its surrounding area. | Very little shocks Libyans these days, but the latest attack on this vital lifeline has left many at a loss for words. They didn't think any militia would ever go that far - it was raining Grad rockets across the airport and its surrounding area. |
Residents nearby have been terrified. Those who have the option to move to safer areas have - but most can't. | Residents nearby have been terrified. Those who have the option to move to safer areas have - but most can't. |
One Libyan said it reminded her of the sanctions in the 1990s - when Libya was a pariah state under Col Gaddafi, cut off from much of the world and going abroad meant a boat or a road trip before possibly boarding a plane elsewhere. | One Libyan said it reminded her of the sanctions in the 1990s - when Libya was a pariah state under Col Gaddafi, cut off from much of the world and going abroad meant a boat or a road trip before possibly boarding a plane elsewhere. |
The government says it is considering the possibility of requesting an international force - it could be an empty threat to gain more leverage on all the militias - but it could also be that they feel they have run out of options. A bigger, more powerful force is needed to subdue all the armed groups - that would take an army that Libya doesn't have. | The government says it is considering the possibility of requesting an international force - it could be an empty threat to gain more leverage on all the militias - but it could also be that they feel they have run out of options. A bigger, more powerful force is needed to subdue all the armed groups - that would take an army that Libya doesn't have. |
The fighting has led the United Nations to announce the withdrawal of all its staff from Libya. | The fighting has led the United Nations to announce the withdrawal of all its staff from Libya. |
"The mission concluded that it would not be possible to continue its work... while at the same time ensuring the security and safety of its staff" the UN said in a statement. | "The mission concluded that it would not be possible to continue its work... while at the same time ensuring the security and safety of its staff" the UN said in a statement. |
Airports closed | Airports closed |
Tripoli international airport, 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, is Libya's main transport link with the outside world. | Tripoli international airport, 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, is Libya's main transport link with the outside world. |
The country's second-largest airport in Benghazi has been closed for two months. Misrata airport, the only remaining airport with regular international flights, was also closed on Monday. | The country's second-largest airport in Benghazi has been closed for two months. Misrata airport, the only remaining airport with regular international flights, was also closed on Monday. |
It is believed that damage sustained by Tripoli's air control tower was the reason for the closure of Misrata airport. | It is believed that damage sustained by Tripoli's air control tower was the reason for the closure of Misrata airport. |
There are no longer any flights from Libya to and from the EU, as the small regional airports still functioning do not meet EU standards. | There are no longer any flights from Libya to and from the EU, as the small regional airports still functioning do not meet EU standards. |
The UN mission in Libya left the country in a land convoy via the border crossing with Tunisia. | The UN mission in Libya left the country in a land convoy via the border crossing with Tunisia. |
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. |
Are you in the area? Please contact us by email talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk including the word 'Libya' in the subject title. | Are you in the area? Please contact us by email talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk including the word 'Libya' in the subject title. |