Libyan UN-backed gov't condemns targeting of airports in western Libya

Source: Xinhua| 2019-08-17 01:42:53|Editor: yan
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TRIPOLI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed government on Friday condemned attacks on airports in western Libya, as the armed conflict between the government and the eastern-based army continues.

"The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord condemns the cowardly airstrikes on civilian airports in the western region by Haftar's army, which damaged the infrastructure of the airports, frightened civilians, and disrupted flights," the government said in a statement.

It demanded the UN Mission in Libya to "take a clearer stand against the attacks."

Spokesman of Libya's eastern army, Ahmad al-Mismari, on Friday said that the army's air force had targeted the airport of the western city of Zuwara, some 120 km west of the capital Tripoli, and destroyed a hanger used to store drones.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya on Thursday denounced increasing attacks on civilian airports in western Libya.

The UN-backed government has been engaged in a deadly armed conflict since early April in and around the capital Tripoli against Haftar's army, which is trying to take over the city and overthrow the government.

The army is allied with the eastern-based government, as the Libya is politically divided between eastern and western governments.

Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid insecurity and chaos ever since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

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