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Forces loyal to the nationally recognized national government nationwide, trying to repel the offensive of the strong man Khalifa Haftar. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP)
UN chief, Antonio Guterres, on Monday called for the immediate cessation of fighting in Libya after strong human forces Khalifa Haftar claimed an air strike on Tripoli's only airport.
According to the United Nations, thousands of people have fled the violence in the capital, since Haftar launched a surprise attack last week, which killed dozens of people.
Secretary General Guterres "urges the immediate cessation of all military operations in order to defuse the situation and prevent a total conflict," said Monday to the UN a statement issued by the UN.
It "strongly condemns the military escalation and ongoing fighting in Tripoli and surrounding areas, including the air attack conducted today by a Libyan National Army (LNA) aircraft. against Mitiga airport ".
This oil-rich North African country has been shaken by violent power struggles between many armed groups since the overthrow of dictator Moammar Gaddafi, backed by NATO, in 2011.
The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) controls the capital, but its authority is not recognized by a parallel administration in the east of the country, backed by Haftar.
The strong man defied international calls to stop his progress on Tripoli, including the United Nations Security Council and the United States.
Cartridges of bullets strew the entrance of the old international airport of Tripoli, closed since 2014. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP) "I am making a very strong appeal to the Libyan leaders and in particular to Haftar for them to stop all their military activities and return to the negotiating table," said Federica Mogherini, head of the country's foreign policy. EU, after an interview with foreign ministers.
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to his leader Fayez al-Sarraj about his "total opposition to the offensive against the capital and the endangering of civilian lives".
The French Presidency confirmed that the call had taken place, without revealing the details of the discussion.
Ahmad al-Mesmari, a spokesman for the so-called Libyan national army of Haftar, said on Monday the airstrike against Mitiga airport, east of the capital, which was aimed a MiG-23 military plane and a helicopter.
A security source at the airport said the strike had hit a runway without causing casualties.
"This attack constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law that prohibits attacks against civilian infrastructure," said UN envoy to Libya, Ghbadan Salame.
A spokesman for national carrier Libyan Airlines said the civil aviation authorities had decided to "suspend air traffic until further notice".
An airport source, who wanted to be named, confirmed the suspension.
& # 39; Immediate stop & # 39;
Haftar is a former Gaddafi military leader who has become a major player in the political struggle in Libya.
Having taken control of much of eastern Libya – and driven by a series of victories in the southern desert – he turned to Tripoli, swearing to "cleanse" her of "terrorists" and mercenaries ".
Its offensive threatens to plunge the country into a general civil war and to thwart again diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the problems of Libya.
Profile of strong Libyan man Khalifa Haftar. By Gillian HANDYSIDE (AFP) Violent clashes on Sunday near Tripoli saw fighters from Haftar and other powerful armed groups in western Libya exchange gunfire, including air strikes.
Forces supporting the GNA then announced a counteroffensive called "Volcano of Anger".
After a pause, fighting resumed Monday around the main destroyed airport of the capital, about thirty kilometers south of Tripoli, and the rural area of Wadi Rabi, further east.
The United States has called for an "immediate halt" in combat operations and the UN Security Council has called on Haftar's forces to cease their advance.
On Sunday, Russia, a key supporter of Haftar, as well as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, prevented the council from adopting an official statement against the strongman.
Instead, the Kremlin called on Monday "all parties to reject actions likely to cause bloodshed during the fighting and the deaths of civilians".
The fears of civil war
The Ministry of Health of the Union Government has set Monday the death toll at 35 dead. Haftar's forces said 14 of their fighters were dead.
The fighting in Libya threatens to derail UN pressure for elections. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP) The UN said the fighting had displaced 3,400 people, up from 2,800 previously.
"Clashes with heavy weapons have hit residential areas and an indeterminate number of civilians are unable to flee," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Monday.
"We have no positive news to report on our call for a humanitarian truce."
Haftar launched his offensive just days from the UN conference on the union of Libyan rivals and the preparation of elections.
Salame, of the UN, insisted that the international community was "determined" to hold the conference of 14 and 16 April.
The UN mission in Libya announced on Twitter that Salame met with Sarraj in Tripoli on Monday to discuss how to "badist at this critical and difficult moment".
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