Libyan officials: US drones behind airport closure
Surveillance aircraft spotted over eastern city of Benghazi draw militia gunfire, leading authorities to fear a commercial aircraft could be hit
BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Libyan officials say US drones hovering over the eastern city of Benghazi prompted militia forces to fire toward the craft, leading authorities to close the airport for several hours for fear a commercial aircraft could be hit.
Abdel-Basit Haroun, the head of the militia in charge of city security, said the drones could easily be spotted from the ground. He says men angry over perceived foreign intervention fired in the air and authorities closed the airport.
US officials said the drones include Predators and Reapers, which are being used for surveillance and are largely unarmed. While drones have been there consistently, officials have increased their coverage and cycles. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the media.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
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