After 2-week hiatus, Tripoli airport resumes operations
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 12:00 | 26 September 2018
- Modified Date: 05:32 | 26 September 2018
The Libyan authorities on Wednesday reopened Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport after a two-week closure due to clashes between rival armed groups.
The airport is now set to receive its first flight at 6:00 p.m. local time, airport spokesman Khaled Bu-Gharsa told Anadolu Agency.
On Sept. 12, all operations at the airport were suspended after several artillery shells fell in the area.
Since August 26, the capital has seen on-again, off-again clashes between armed groups loyal to Libya's Tripoli-based unity government and others said to oppose it.
On Tuesday, the "Tripoli Protection Force" -- affiliated with the unity government -- assumed control of the capital's southern districts.
Libya has remained dogged by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of long-serving President Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.
Since then, Libya's stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power -- one in Tobruk and another in Tripoli -- and a host of heavily armed militia groups.
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