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New rocket attack on Tripoli airport | New rocket attack on Tripoli airport |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Libya's main international airport has been hit by a new rocket attack a day after fighting forced it to close. | Libya's main international airport has been hit by a new rocket attack a day after fighting forced it to close. |
At least one person has died and six have been injured at Tripoli airport, and 12 planes have been damaged in the attack. | At least one person has died and six have been injured at Tripoli airport, and 12 planes have been damaged in the attack. |
The UN has announced that it will withdraw all its staff from Libya. | The UN has announced that it will withdraw all its staff from Libya. |
Libyan leaders have struggled to bring stability to the country since Muammar Gaddafi was removed from power in 2011. | Libyan leaders have struggled to bring stability to the country since Muammar Gaddafi was removed from power in 2011. |
A security source told the BBC that the airport was attacked by a "large number of rockets, including Grad rockets" on Monday evening. | A security source told the BBC that the airport was attacked by a "large number of rockets, including Grad rockets" on Monday evening. |
They said one person from the force protecting the airport had been killed and six others injured and that the control tower had been hit by rocket fire. | They said one person from the force protecting the airport had been killed and six others injured and that the control tower had been hit by rocket fire. |
All flights to and from the airport have been suspended until at least Wednesday. | All flights to and from the airport have been suspended until at least Wednesday. |
The fighting has led the United Nations to announce the withdrawal of all its staff from Libya. | The fighting has led the United Nations to announce the withdrawal of all its staff from Libya. |
"The mission concluded that it would not be possible to continue its work... while at the same time ensuring the security and safety of its staff" the UN said in a statement. | "The mission concluded that it would not be possible to continue its work... while at the same time ensuring the security and safety of its staff" the UN said in a statement. |
Airports closed | Airports closed |
Tripoli international airport, 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, is Libya's main transport link with the outside world. | Tripoli international airport, 30km (18 miles) south of the capital, is Libya's main transport link with the outside world. |
The country's second-largest airport in Benghazi has been closed for two months. Misrata airport, the only remaining airport with regular international flights, was also closed on Monday. | The country's second-largest airport in Benghazi has been closed for two months. Misrata airport, the only remaining airport with regular international flights, was also closed on Monday. |
It is believed that damage sustained by Tripoli's air control tower was the reason for the closure of Misrata airport. | |
There are no longer any flights from Libya to and from the EU, as the small regional airports still functioning do not meet EU standards. | |
The UN mission in Libya left the country in a land convoy via the border crossing with Tunisia. | |
An alliance of militia groups has been attempting to dislodge rebels from the Zintan region who have controlled Tripoli airport for at least two years. | An alliance of militia groups has been attempting to dislodge rebels from the Zintan region who have controlled Tripoli airport for at least two years. |
Analysts say the rebels are seen by Libyans as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, in the absence of an effective army, they provide security across much of the country and protect the borders. | Analysts say the rebels are seen by Libyans as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, in the absence of an effective army, they provide security across much of the country and protect the borders. |
On the other, they have been accused of human rights abuses, unlawful detention and of taking the law into their own hands. | On the other, they have been accused of human rights abuses, unlawful detention and of taking the law into their own hands. |