Libyan Peace Talks On The Verge Of Collapse

Al Jazeera: Libya peace talks appear on verge of collapse

UN's Bernardino Leon says that an agreement between rival governments will be difficult as battle for Tripoli continues.

Peace talks between rival Libyan political factions appeared to be on the verge of collapse as fighting for control of the capital raged on for a second day.

Libya's UN-recognised government in Tobruk conducted air strikes on Saturday against airports and a military camp in the capital Tripoli, controlled by a rival government, and killed a senior commander loyal to that government, officials said.

The Tobruk-based government said on Friday that forces linked to General Khalifa Haftar had launched the military offensive to "liberate" Tripoli, which is governed by a rival legally-installed administration known as the General National Congress (GNC).

More News On The Crisis In Libya

Fighting rages in Libya as uncertainty looms over UN-backed peace talks -- Deutsche Welle
Libya rivals still a long way from deal: envoy -- AFP
Libya factions still far from agreement: UN envoy -- Press TV
Libya rivals face weekend of 'decisive' talks -- Middle East Online
UN: Libya peace talks stalling -- Al Bawaba
Libya's recognized government launches air strike on camp in Tripoli -- Reuters
Libya's official government bombs capital, commander loyal to Tripoli killed -- Reuters
U.S. fears Islamic State is making serious inroads in Libya -- Reuters
Libya’s State Oil Company Declares Independence -- WSJ
Libya rivals fight for control of oil wealth -- News24

The Situation In Libya Is Quickly Deteriorating

Al Jazeera: Tripoli airport bombed ahead of UN-backed peace talks

Libya talks set to start in Morocco, as UN envoy says the situation on the ground is "deteriorating rapidly".

Warplanes from Libya's internationally recognised parliament in Tobruk have carried out air strikes on a Tripoli airport, a security official said, just hours before United Nations-backed peace talks were due to start in Morocco.

The jets hit an open area near the runway at Maitiga airport on Thursday but caused no major damage and the airport was operating normally, a security source at the airport told the Reuters news agency.

More News On The Crisis In Libya

Warplanes hit Tripoli airport before UN talks start -- Reuters
Islamic State will 'stop at nothing' to boost Libya presence: UN -- Reuters
ISIS will ‘stop at nothing’ to strengthen presence in Libya – UN -- RT
Isis threat to Libya 'real and imminent' warns UN envoy -- IBTimes
Libya crisis ‘festering,’ UN envoy warns, urging decisive action to build national unity -- UN News Centre
Libya asks U.N. for arms, jets, tanks to battle Islamic State: letter -- Reuters
Libya Makes Urgent Appeal to UN to Lift Embargo on Weapons -- AP
Libya asks UN to lift arms embargo to confront ISIL -- Al Jazeera
Libya Calls On UN To Loosen Arms Embargo That The UN Calls 'Almost Nonexistent' -- IBTimes
Libya Asks UN To Approve Arms Contracts -- Defense News
Egypt Wades Into Libya Conflict With IS Strikes -- Bloomberg
Italy wants more EU involvement in Libya -- Africa Intelligence
Amid ‘diminishing window of opportunity,’ Libyan peace talks set to resume -- UN News Centre
Algeria to host Libya talks: U.N. -- Al Arabiya

Islamist Faction In Libya Launches Their First Air Strike

The military jet attack hit the airport in the western town of Zintan, in the mountains near the Tunisian border. (File photo: Reuters)

New York Times: Islamist Faction in Libya Now Strikes From the Sky

CAIRO — The Islamist-backed faction in Libya’s civil conflict said Tuesday that it had carried out its first airstrike, targeting opponents in the town of Zintan in an escalation of the violence tearing the country apart.

The attack occurred two days after the Islamic State, the extremist group also known as ISIS or ISIL, released a video showing fighters for one of its Libyan branches beheading as many as 21 Egyptian Christians. In retaliation, Egypt carried out an airstrike on Monday against a town in eastern Libya that is a hub of Islamist militancy and the home of another Islamic State branch.

The extent of the damage was unclear. But the attack on Tuesday raised the possibility of an air war between the rival Libyan factions and diminished hopes for United Nations-sponsored talks about ending the conflict.

Update #1: Islamist faction in Libya repairs Russian-made MIGs, conducts first airstrike -- Washington Times
Update #2: Libya’s Islamist militia strike from the sky -- Al Arabiya

WNU Editor: The chaos and warfare in Libya just keeps on escalating.

UN Security Council To Meet Wednesday On The Crisis in Libya. Egypt Calls For Foreign Intervention

BBC: Egypt seeks UN mandate for Libya Islamic State intervention

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for a United Nations resolution allowing international forces to intervene in Libya.

There was no other choice, he told French radio. "We will not allow them to cut off the heads of our children."

WNU Editor: Do not count on NATO .... Despite Islamic State beheadings, NATO has no plans for new intervention in Libya (Stars and Stripes).

More News On The Crisis In Libya

UN Security Council to Meet Wednesday on Libyan Crisis -- NYT/AP
UN Security Council to meet Wednesday on Libya -- AFP
UN Security Council to meet over Islamic State video of Egyptian Christians’ beheadings -- New York Daily News
'We Need to Do it Again, and All of Us Together': Egypt Calls for International Action on the Islamic State -- VICE News
Egyptian president wants coalition to act against ISIS in Libya -- CBC/Reuters
Egypt calls for foreign intervention in Libya -- Al Jazeera
Libyan ambassador: International pullout after fall of Qaddafi allowed ISIS to 'get strong' -- FOX News

United Nations: Peace Talks To Resume In Libya In The Next Few Days

Reuters: U.N. says peace talks to start in Libya within next few days

WNU Editor: I am not optimistic that Libya's different warring factions will be able to overcome their differences on how to come to some amicable arrangement on running the country .... the tribal/regional divisions are just too deep. And what is even more worrisome is that in the chaos, a far more dangerous group is now organizing .... Islamic State Affiliate Takes Root Amid Libya’s Chaos (WSJ)

Libyan Central Bank Branch In Benghazi Seized By Islamists. They Now Have Access To $100 Billion

The central bank branch in Benghazi. The bank, which has headquarters in Tripoli, is the nation’s last functioning institution. Credit Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters

Washington Times: Benghazi branch of central bank seized by Islamic fighters; almost $100B inside

WNU Editor: There are conflicting reports on who attacked the bank, who seized the bank, and whether or not the Army has retaken the bank. In short .... this sounds like a great Hollywood movie. I will update this story when more information becomes available.

More News On The Libyan Central Bank Being Seized By Islamists

Wider Chaos Threatens as Fighters Seize Branch of Libya’s Central Bank -- New York Times
Libyan Militants Just Seized A Central Bank Branch With As Much As $100 Billion Inside -- Business Insider
UN Libya Mission condemns attack against Central Bank in Benghazi -- UN News Centre
U.N. condemns attack on Libyan central bank, demands inquiry -- Reuters
UN Condemns Attack on Libya's Central Bank, Calls for Renewed Ceasefire -- Sputnik

Truce Announced By Some Of Libya's Militias

Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Bernardino Léon (10th from left) with delegates after the meeting of Libyan parties at UN Headquarters in Geneva. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Reuters: Libya parties agree to more talks; two factions call ceasefire

More News On Reports That Some of Libya's Different Factions Have Agreed To A Ceasefire And A 'Roadmap' To A Unity Government

Libyans at Geneva talks seek unity government -- Arab News/Reuters
Libyan factions agree on agenda for talks -- Al Jazeera
UN-brokered Libya talks result in agenda -- Press TV
UN-facilitated Libyan political dialogue to continue next week in Geneva -- UN News Centre
Militias announce Libya truce after Geneva accord -- AFP
Libya May Become Another Somalia If U.N. Talks Push Fails - British Envoy -- Reuters
Six Questions About the Crisis in Libya -- Lucy Westcott, Newsweek
Violence in Libya since Kadhafi overthrow -- AFP

Libya Is Falling Apart

Reuters: Aid agencies fear Libya public services collapse, hospitals suffer

WNU Editor:Libya is in total chaos, and I do not see any possibility that the different factions in Libya will be able to get together and work out their differences.

More News On The Crisis In Libya

ISIS Releases Videos of Its Activities in Tripoli, Libya -- Commentary
Libya becoming HQ for major terrorists -- WND
How the West destroyed Libya, and empowered Islamism -- Raymond Ibrahim, The Commentator
Warning of jihadist threat, Libya PM pleads for help -- AFP
Libya spirals downward as the West looks the other way -- Washington Post editorial
UN Announces Launch of Libya Talks -- VOA
U.N. to launch Libya talks despite doubts over participation -- Reuters
Rival Libya factions to meet in Geneva -- Al Jazeera
Geneva Talks on Libyan Reconciliation to Begin January 14: UN -- Sputnik
UN to hold 'last ditch' Libya peace talks in Geneva -- AFP

Libya's Warring Factions Agree To Hold New Talks Sponsored By The UN

Al Jazeera: Libyan factions to hold talks in Geneva

WNU Editor: All sides are miles apart for any hope of compromise and reconciliation. I expect the civil war to continue.

More News On Libya's Warring Factions Agreeing To Hold New Talks Sponsored By The UN

Libya's factions agree to new talks in Geneva next week -- Reuters
UN to host Libya peace talks in Geneva next week -- AFP
Libya: Rival Factions to Participate in UN-Backed Talks in Geneva -- Deutsche Welle
UN to Host Libya Talks in Geneva Next Week -- Sputnik
Senior UN envoy meets with Libyan stakeholders, warns ‘time running out’ to resolve crisis -- UN News Centre
From oil to infrastructure: Libya pays hefty economic price for instability -- Al Bawaba
Libya: The World Watches And Does Nothing -- Strategy Page

Arab League To Hold Emergency Talks On The Crisis In Libya. Greek Oil Tanker Bombed In Libyan Port

BBC: Greek oil tanker bombed in Libyan port of Derna

WNU Editor: This bombing of an oil tanker is a message to everyone that no one will be permitted to buy oil that has not been approved by the internationally recognized government of Libya. As to the Arab Leagues involvement in the Libyan crisis .... it is too little and too late .... and the UN is proving itself (again) to be useless .... UN postpones Libya peace talks again. On a side note .... France has made it clear that they are not going to intervene .... France will not intervene in Libya.

More News On The Crisis In Libya

Libyan warplane bombs Greek-operated oil tanker at port, two dead -- Reuters
Libyan Air Force Strikes ‘Suspicious’ Oil Tanker Killing Two on Board -- Sputnik
Deadly Libya strike on tanker draws Greek condemnation -- AFP
Arab League to hold emergency talks on Libya unrest -- IBTimes
Arab League to meet Monday on deteriorating security in Libya -- Ahram Online
Arab League to Hold Emergency Meeting to Discuss Current Situation in Libya -- Sputnik
Arab League to discuss Libya conflict Monday -- Ma'an News Agency
Libyan Parliament Speaker Says No to Foreign Military Action -- AP

Libya's Civil War Continues To Escalate

Black smoke billows in the sky above areas where clashes are taking place between pro-government forces, who are backed by the locals, and the Shura Council of Libyan Revolutionaries, an alliance of former anti-Gaddafi rebels, who have joined forces with the Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia, in Benghazi November 26, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Airstrike Targets Tripoli Outskirts as Libya's Rival Groups Battle -- Voice of America/Reuters

TRIPOLI, LIBYA - Forces allied to one of two rival governments vying for power in Libya conducted an airstrike near Tripoli on Thursday, officials and residents said, part of an ongoing struggle since a group seized the capital and set up its own cabinet.

Libya is caught in the conflict between the two sides, each with its own government and parliament. One is a self-declared government created after fighters from a group known as Libya Dawn took over Tripoli in August, and the other the internationally-recognized government, forced out of Tripoli and now operating from the country's east.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

A fierce battle for control in Libya's desert -- Al Jazeera
Libya Launches Airstrikes on Islamist Targets Near Tripoli Airport -- Sputnik
Eastern Libyan government conducts air strikes on border with Tunisia -- Reuters
Deadly air raid hits Libya militia on Tunisia border -- AFP
Amid fresh violence in Libya, UN mission urges all parties to give dialogue chance to succeed -- UN News Centre
About 400 killed in past six weeks of fighting in Libya's Benghazi: medics -- Reuters
Islamic State setting up Libya training camps, US says -- BBC
U.S. general: ISIS has training camps in Libya -- AFP

The Islamic State Now Has A Foothold In Libya

ISIS Comes To Libya -- CNN

(CNN) -- The black flag of ISIS flies over government buildings. Police cars carry the group's insignia. The local football stadium is used for public executions. A town in Syria or Iraq? No. A city on the coast of the Mediterranean, in Libya.

Fighters loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are now in complete control of the city of Derna, population of about 100,000, not far from the Egyptian border and just about 200 miles from the southern shores of the European Union.

The fighters are taking advantage of political chaos to rapidly expand their presence westwards along the coast, Libyan sources tell CNN.

Read more ....

More News On The Growth Of The Islamic State In Libya

ISIS Now Controls the Libyan City of Derna and Is Aiming to Expand West -- Time
Islamic State takes Libyan city; 100K under terror group’s control as chaos spreads -- Washington Times
Report: ISIS Takes Over Libyan City -- Newsmax
ISIS takes control of new areas, finds support in Libya -- FOX News

The Implosion Of Libya

Libya Is On The Verge Of Collapse -- Deutsche Welle

Three years after the fall of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya is being torn apart by power struggles. The security situation is catastrophic and the country is sliding into civil war.

Bombings in Tripoli, explosions in Tobruk, deadly fighting between rival militias in Benghazi - barely a day goes by in Libya without terrible news. On Thursday (13.11.2014), two car bombs exploded in the capital. On Wednesday, at least five soldiers died in several attacks in the east of the country. The latest incidents show that those in power are less and less able to get the security situation under control.

Two governments, two parliaments

No wonder: there are currently two rival parliaments and two rival governments in the country. One is dominated by Islamists, the other by their opponents. Both are fighting for influence, money, and resources and need the support of several different militias. The armed groups had fought side by side against dictator Moammar Gadhafi, but since his fall they only serve their own interests - with terrible consequences.

Read more ....

More News On The "Implosion Of Libya"

Libya's south on edge of chaos -- Al-Monitor
As Fighting Continues, Libyan Oil Production Remains Volatile -- VOA
Libyan Oil Co. Strives for Control as Feuds Split Nation -- Bloomberg
Libya National Oil strives to keep control as feuds split nation -- Energy Voice
Rival Libyan government makes move for oil power, captures field -- Reuters
Car Bombs Explode Near Egyptian and U.A.E. Embassies in Libya -- NYT
Bombs explode near Egyptian and UAE embassies in Libyan capital -- Reuters
Embassies of Egypt and UAE attacked in Libya -- Al Jazeera
Libyans warn cargo planes may be shot down, as they could be ferrying weapons -- Loadstar
UN: Indications of war crimes in Libya -- Al Jazeera
Libya: Amid surging violence, UN warns of potential displacement crisis -- UN News Centre
Libya: ICC Prosecutor warns court's work faces 'deleterious impact' of ongoing instability -- UN News Centre
Libya teeters further -- AL Ahram
Saving Libya, Again -- Dirk Vandewalle, NYT

Heavy Fighting Reported Between The Libyan Army And Islamists Near Seaport City Of Benghazi

Libyan Army, Islamists Battle in Benghazi -- Voice of America

CAIRO — Arab news channels are reporting heavy fighting in the center of Benghazi between forces loyal to the Libyan Army and the Shoura Council Islamist militias. The army has called on residents to evacuate, amid heavy shelling.

Pitched battles were reported in Benghazi's central commercial district of al Saberi, as Libyan Army forces tried to dislodge Islamic militants in control of the area. Libyan TV reported that the Red Crescent evacuated its headquarters in the Jumhuriya Hospital, due to heavy fighting.

A Libyan Army spokesman claimed that 95 percent of Benghazi was under the control of Libyan Army units, but he has made the same claim several times in the past week. He admitted, however, that heavy fighting w

Read more ....

More News On The Battle For The Libyan City Of Benghazi

Heavy fighting near seaport of Libyan city Benghazi, navy ship hit -- Reuters
Libya violence: Clashes at Benghazi port area -- BBC
Battle in East Libya's Benghazi Sets Ship Ablaze -- AP
Fighting rages in Libya's Benghazi -- Al Jazeera
Deadly fighting in Libyan port of Benghazi, with navy ship hit -- Euronews
Libyan navy ship hit during fierce fighting near port of Benghazi -- Sydney Morning Herald
Violence Erupts Anew In Libya, Army Attempts To Reclaim Benghazi From Militants -- China Topix
Libya: Pro-Government Forces Advancing On Benghazi -- Deutsche Welle
Naval Ship Hit In Benghazi Fighting -- Radio Free Europe
Libyan navy ship sinking after clashes between army and ISIS in Benghazi port -- Daily Mail
Naval Ship Hit During Deadly Clashes in Benghazi -- Vice
Over 210 killed in fighting over Libya's Benghazi -- AP
Libya military offensive in Benghazi prompts evacuations -- UPI
Bracing for battle, army evacuating Benghazi port area -- Arab News/Reuters

Libya Continues Its Slide To Another Civil War

Three Years After Gadhafi's Death, Libya Slides Into Civil War As Death Toll Rises In Benghazi -- IBTimes

Three years ago on Monday, Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi was captured and killed by a rebel militia in his hometown of Sirte, an event that was supposed to mark the beginning of a new, democratic era in the country. But today, Libya is far from stable. The country is sliding further and further into all-out civil war, with pro-government forces battling Islamist militias for power in the eastern city of Benghazi, where the revolution that ousted Gadhafi started in 2011.

Read more ....

More News On The Crisis In Libya

75 killed in five days of fighting in Libya's Benghazi -- AFP
Death Toll Hits 65 in Libya's Eastern Strife -- AP
Toll in Libya clashes rises to 75 -- Zee News
Benghazi violence kills 75 people in five days -- Middle East Online
Toll rises as clashes continue in Libyan city -- Al Jazeera
United forces to regain Tripoli: Libya PM -- Al Arabiya/AFP
Rival Governments Dispute Control of Libyan Oil -- WSJ
Libya's parliament allies with renegade general, struggling to assert authority -- Reuters
Libya violence: Western powers urge cessation -- BBC
US, European Allies Condemn Violence in Libya, Threaten Sanctions -- RIA Novosti
In Libya's Benghazi, Mood of Resignation Over War -- AP
Libya: The war nobody can win -- Al Jazeera

Radical Islamists In Libya Have Taken Control Of Nearly A Dozen Commercial Jetliners When They Seized Tripoli Airport Last Month

Tripoli under fire a few weeks ago. Photo from Jafari News

Missing Libyan Jetliners Raise Fears of Suicide Airliner Attacks on 9/11 -- Washington Free Beacon

Egypt set for military intervention as Libya spirals toward failed state

Islamist militias in Libya took control of nearly a dozen commercial jetliners last month, and western intelligence agencies recently issued a warning that the jets could be used in terrorist attacks across North Africa.

Intelligence reports of the stolen jetliners were distributed within the U.S. government over the past two weeks and included a warning that one or more of the aircraft could be used in an attack later this month on the date marking the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against New York and Washington, said U.S. officials familiar with the reports.

“There are a number of commercial airliners in Libya that are missing,” said one official. “We found out on September 11 what can happen with hijacked planes.”

Read more ...

My Comment: These worries and security concerns of Jihadists seizing Libya commercial airliners were voiced a few weeks ago (check the two links below) .... this blog also reported this worrisome development. But it appears that it is only now that the Western media is catching up to a news story that is actually 2 - 3 weeks old. As to the possibility of an Egyptian military intervention .... this is something new and it has not been reported on yet.

Algerian reports of jihadist attack threat using commercial aircraft stolen from Libya unlikely to be credible -- IHS Janes 360
Libya: Missing Libya Planes Spark Security Concerns -- AllAfrica.com

Libya’s U.N. Ambassador Warns The United Nations That His Country Is On The Brink Of Civil War

Libya's U.N. ambassador, Ibrahim Dabbashi, said he fears an all-out civil war.

Libya Warns UN It Risks Full-Scale Civil War -- Voice of America

UNITED NATIONS — Libya’s U.N. ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi warned Wednesday that his country could collapse into a “full blown civil war,” and he urged armed groups to halt hostilities and disarm. His remarks came as the Security Council adopted a resolution tightening an arms embargo and expanding sanctions to include militia leaders.

The 15-nation council met to discuss Libya just days after its parliament – replaced in June – reconvened and chose an Islamist-backed deputy as the new prime minister. That left the country with two rival leaders and assemblies, each fronting armed factions.

Read more ....

More News On The Libyan U.N. Ambassador Warning The United Nations That His Country Is On The Brink Of Civil War

Libya warns United Nations of possible slide into civil war -- Reuters
UN Envoy: ‘Full-Blown Civil War’ in Libya -- AP
Libya To UN: Civil War Is About To Break Out -- Business Insider

My Comment: In my book .... Libya is already in a state of civil war.

As Arab States Step Up To Assist Libya In Its War Against Islamists The U.S. Condemns Their Intervention

Libya Says It Needs Foreign Help To Defeat Islamists After US Is Caught 'Off Guard' By Secret Airstrikes In The Country Carried Out By UAE -- Daily Mail

* Emirati warplanes secretly bombed Islamist targets in Libya's capital Tripoli
* U.S. officials say they were not told about strikes, which left them 'off-guard'
* UAE attacks seemingly a move towards direct action in Libya by Arab states
* Along with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, UAE sees Islamists as a threat to region
* Islamist dominated General National Congress named rival premier last week
* Interim government - holed up 1,000 miles from Tripoli in Tobruk - has now said it needs foreign assistance to defeat the Islamists

Libya has revealed it needs urgent foreign help defeat Islamists in the country, as U.S. officials admitted they were 'caught off guard' by airstrikes carried out by the UAE.

Using bases in Egypt, Emirati warplanes secretly bombed targets in the Libyan capital Tripoli after the country's Islamist dominated General National Congress named a rival premier early last week.

A senior U.S. official was quoted as saying the America had not known anything about the airstrikes, in what appears to be a dramatic escalation in direct action by regional Arab states that have previously fought proxy wars in Libya.

Read more ....

More News On Yesterday's Military Intervention In Libya By UAE Warplanes Using Egyptian Airbases

Officials: Egypt, UAE Behind Airstrikes in Libya -- AP
US Surprised by Egypt, UAE Airstrikes on Libyan Militants -- VOA
Libya crisis: US 'caught off-guard' by air strikes -- BBC
US warns UAE and Egypt over air raids in Libya -- Financial Times
Egypt denies 'direct' role in air raids on Libya -- AFP
Do the UAE’s Airstrikes in Libya Mean the United States Is Losing Influence in the Middle East? -- Joshua Keating, Slate
Libya: The escalation of a proxy war? -- Inside Story/Al Jazeera
Libya Dawn takes upper hand in civil war, as regional powers intervene -- Middle East Eye
Why the bombing of Tripoli is a game-changer for the fight against the Islamic State -- Bobby Ghosh, Quartz
Libyan raids herald bolder Arab action as U.S. role wavers -- Reuters

Update: US and allies warn of 'interference' in Libya -- Al Jazeera

New York Times: Egypt And United Arab Emirates Have Secretly Carried Out Libya Airstrikes

Egypt And United Arab Emirates Said To Have Secretly Carried Out Libya Airstrikes -- New York Times

CAIRO — Twice in the last seven days, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have secretly teamed up to launch airstrikes against Islamist-allied militias battling for control of Tripoli, Libya, four senior American officials said, in a major escalation between the supporters and opponents of political Islam.

The United States, the officials said, was caught by surprise: Egypt and the Emirates, both close allies and military partners, acted without informing Washington or seeking its consent, leaving the Obama administration on the sidelines. Egyptian officials explicitly denied the operation to American diplomats, the officials said.

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My Comment: With the Islamists slowly gaining control of Libya .... Egypt and it's allies had to act. The question that needs to now be asked is .... to what extent will Egypt become involved in the Libyan civil war?

Libyan Civil War -- News Updates August 24, 2014

Libya Crisis: Tensions Rise As Tripoli Airport Seized -- BBC

An armed militia alliance in Libya has captured Tripoli's international airport after a battle lasting nearly a month.

Islamist-affiliated forces from Misrata and other cities took over the airport from the Zintan militia, which has held it for three years.

Libya's new parliament, largely opposed to the Islamists, condemned the move.

Violence in Libya has surged recently between the rival groups who overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in the 2011 uprising.

The airport, Libya's largest, has been closed for over a month because of the fighting.

Hundreds have died since fighting broke out in Tripoli in July. Millions of dollars in damage has been caused to the airport.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Forces from Libyan city of Misrata say they seized Tripoli airport -- Reuters
Libya Islamist militias 'seize Tripoli airport' -- AFP
Forces from Libyan city of Misrata seize Tripoli's main airport -- The Guardian
Libyan militants claim to have taken control of Tripoli's main airport -- FOX News
Libya in new crisis as Islamist 'terrorists' seize airport -- AFP
Libyan Militia Accuses Egypt, UAE of Airstrikes -- AP
War planes attack Libyan capital again: residents -- Reuters
Libya Islamists Seize Tripoli Airport as Parliament Duel Set -- Bloomberg