Libya’s Militias Claim Control of Capital

Local Editor

Libya's extremist militias said Sunday they have consolidated their hold on Tripoli and its international airport, driving out rival militias to the outskirts of the capital following a week long battle for control of the strategic hub.

Egypt's president denied any military involvement in Libya, a day after militias accused Cairo of bombing their posts in Tripoli, Egypt's state news agency reported.

President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi's comments came in response to accusations a day earlier by the extremist militias in Tripoli, who blamed Egypt and the United Arab Emirates for a series of mysterious airstrikes Saturday and last Monday. Two airstrikes killed 15 fighters and wounded another 30 Saturday.

Unidentified warplanes attacked targets in Tripoli again Sunday, residents said, hours after forces from the city of Misrata said they had seized the main airport.

Tripoli residents heard jets followed by explosions at dawn but no more details were available.

Libya's air force denied it was behind the attacks, in part because it didn't have the capabilities or technology to carry out such guided attacks. This has raised suspicions that foreign countries, including European countries, were behind the strikes. Italy, Algeria and other countries have also denied being behind them.

On the ground, the militia umbrella group Dawn of Libya said it has also taken hold of other locations in the capital controlled by the rival militias, drawing to a close one chapter in a prolonged confrontation between the extremist-allied militia, largely from Misrata, and the powerful militia from the western mountains of Zintan.

The fight has largely destroyed the airport and scarred the capital, prompting diplomats, foreign nationals and thousands of Libyans to flee.

The violence comes as part of a backlash by extremist factions after losing their power in parliament following June elections and in the face of a campaign by a renegade military general against extremist militias in Benghazi.

A Dawn of Libya militia field commander said his forces are in control of Tripoli and adjacent cities, pushing back the rival Zintan forces some 90 km south of the capital. It was not possible to reach members of the Zintan militias. The commander spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to brief reporters.

Further inflaming the situation, the newly elected parliament described Dawn of Libya as "outlawed" and "terrorist groups" who fight to undermine the legitimacy of the state.

The newly elected parliament has been convening in Tobruk due to security concerns amid growing lawlessness in the capital and Benghazi.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team