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The forces supporting the Libyan union government fought to repel Sunday the offensive of strong man Khalifa Haftar, as his troops approached the gates of Tripoli after air raids in the night.
The self-proclaimed Libyan National Army of Haftar, galvanized by the victories won in its eastern stronghold and in the country's southern desert, announced an offensive earlier this month to seize the capital of the country. administration of Fayez al-Sarraj, recognized by the UN.
But his forces have faced fierce resistance from armed groups backing the Tripoli-based National Accord Government (GNA), including powerful factions in the city of Misrata, in the west of the country.
The bloodshed has frustrated efforts to restore peace in a country where jihadists and smugglers have exploited the chaos caused by the overthrow of dictator Moamer Gaddafi, supported by NATO, in 2011.
At least 227 people have been killed since Haftar's forces launched their offensive, the World Health Organization said on Sunday, adding 1,128 others had been injured.
The clashes intensified on Saturday when forces loyal to the NLG announced a counter-attack.
"We have launched a new phase of attack and orders were given early this morning to move forward and gain ground," said Mustafa al-Mejii, spokesman for the GNA forces.
The forces loyal to the Libyan government recognized by the UN have shown strong resistance. By Mahmud TURKIA (AFP)
Rockets and persistent shelling were heard Saturday in several parts of Tripoli, after several days of less intense fighting and stalemate on the ground.
Explosions were heard from downtown during the night and some witnesses reported air strikes.
Pope Francis, pronouncing his traditional Easter message, called for an end to the "conflict and bloodshed" that was killing "helpless people" in Libya.
"I urge the parties involved to prefer dialogue to force and to avoid reopening the wounds left by a decade of conflict and political instability," he said.
Tripoli's air traffic has been suspended until Sunday night for "security reasons," the only airport in the city said on Sunday.
At least two flights have been redirected from Mitiga Airport to Misrata, more than 200 kilometers east, the airport authorities have announced on their Facebook page.
They said flights had resumed early in the morning to Mitiga, east of the capital.
The former military air base was hit by an air strike on April 8, claimed by the LNA, and was operated only between 17:00 and 08:00 (between 15:00 and 6:00 GMT).
Night raids
The ANG counterattack allowed pro-government forces to regain control of Ain Zara, in the southern suburbs of Tripoli, where an AFP team confirmed that pro-GNA forces had advanced, displacing the line. head on a few kilometers to the south.
GNA spokesman Mejii told AFP Sunday morning that "after a long day of military success, our forces are consolidating their (new) positions".
Some witnesses spoke of air raids and drones, but Mejii said the explosions were caused by strikes with help from LNA helicopters aimed at "terrorizing civilians".
He added that they had not made any casualties but that they had unfolded far from the front lines, without giving more details.
According to military sources, the aging Russian and Soviet fighter jets used by both sides are not equipped to perform night strikes, but Mejii said Haftar's forces had a helicopter with night vision capabilities.
The UN envoy to Libya on Thursday warned against "a growing conflagration" in this country of North Africa.
Ghbadan Salame told AFP that the "international divisions" prior to the Tripoli badault had emboldened Haftar, backed by Russia and seen by its allies Egypt and the United Arab Emirates as a bulwark against Islamists.
The White House revealed Friday that US President Donald Trump had personally contacted Haftar to urge the United Nations to negotiate a ceasefire conflict.
According to a statement, Trump "recognized the important role of Marshal Haftar in the fight against terrorism and the securing of Libyan oil resources", adding that "the two discussed a common vision of the transition from Libya to a stable and democratic political system ".
Observers have seen Trump's praise of this strong man as evidence of US support, which explains Haftar's determination to continue his offensive to seize Tripoli.
On Thursday, Russia and the United States opposed a UK offer backed by France and Germany to the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in Libya.
Russia insisted that Haftar not be criticized in the draft resolution, while the United States said that they wanted more time to examine the situation.
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