TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Fighters from Zintan militias, armed with anti-aircraft guns and mortars, have taken over Tripoli airport after a two-day fighting with rivals.
Fighting between rival militias has destroyed the control tower and damaged 11 civilian planes parked on the tarmac.
Reuters reported at least 15 people were killed in Tripoli and Benghazi, where forces loyal to renegade former general Khalifa Haftar, a former Gaddafi ally, bombarded rival armed group bases while the government special forces fought against militants in the city.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday told a press conference that the US would help ending the worst violence in Libya since the fall o Gaddafy three years ago.
Battle between militias in Tripoli Airport has caused the United Nations to withdraw all of its staff from the country. The airport is now under control of former fighters from the town of Zintan which also removed Gaddafy from power in 2011.
AL JAZEERA | CHOIRUL