Militia take control of airport in Libya

Disgruntled militiamen have taken over Libya’s main airport, storming it with heavy machine guns and armoured vehicles and forcing airport authorities to divert flights, a security official says.

Mohammed el-Gharyani, a member of Tripoli Security Committee, says militiamen from the city of Tarhouna occupied the airport runway today.

Flights were diverted to Metiga air base in the city’s centre.

He says the militiamen are angry at the arrest of their commander, Abu Elija, on Sunday.

Tarhouna in central Libya was widely seen as a favourite of deposed ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Its dominant tribe, also called Tarhouna, held many positions in the Libyan military under Gaddafi. The city’s residents are viewed with suspicion by former rebels.

Tribal rivalries have swept Libya since Gaddafi was overthrown last year.