DHAKA: Libya’s main airport has turned into a battlefield between rival militias, a sign of anarchy in the oil producer.
Until Saturday night, the airport was a hub for Libyans coming home for the Muslim fasting month and expatriates going on vacation, reports the Times of India.
The weak government with its almost non-existent army is appealing for calm but fighters on both sides show no signs of abating in the worst militia clashes in the capital Tripoli since November.
Militiamen from the northwestern region of Zintan are ready to defend the airport that they have protected in the absence of state forces since helping to take Tripoli in August 2011 when Muammar Gaddafi’s regime fell.
“The other side has unfortunately decided to use the language of gun,” said Mohammed Ramadan, head of the town council of Zintan, which makes up the bulk of fighters.
The other side, accused by the government of attacking the airport area on Sunday, is made up of militias mainly from the coastal city of Misrata, rivals of the Zintanis. Divisions along regional and tribal lines still split the North African country.
The rival militias both claim to work for the sake of stability and accuse each other of abandoning the ideals of the revolution ending Gaddafi’s dictatorship.
During the NATO-backed uprising, both set aside their differences but now they are vying for control of Tripoli. The airport 30 km to the south of the capital is the biggest trophy.
Tank ammunition is stapled in rows next to pickup trucks with mounted machine guns or mortars, while a Russian-made tank drives around the terminal with its turret swinging around.
The government has said 90 percent of the airport and planes parked there have been damaged but an assessment is impossible as long as bullets fly around. One hit a flag pole next to the terminal while a Reuter’s multimedia team was filming. The transport minister had to abandon a tour late on Monday after the airport perimeter got shelled with Grad rockets.
Busses parked on the runway were also untouched but shrouded in smoke from burning grass near the runway where rockets landed.
BDST: 1015 HRS, JULY 16, 2104
