Battle for control of Tripoli airport leaves 22 dead

A day of militia fighting for control of the international airport in Libya’s capital Tripoli has killed 22 people, the interim government said yesterday.

It said “heavily armed groups” have shelled “civilian targets”, endangering thousands of citizens and displacing hundreds of families.

The 22 people were killed on Saturday, the latest casualties in fighting that has claimed more than 200 lives in recent weeks. The government statement said another 72 people were wounded in Saturday’s battles.