Clashes in Libyan capital kill 9, close airport

15 January 2018, 3:22 pm

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BENGHAZI, Libya — Libyan officials say heavy clashes among rival militias in Tripoli left at least nine people dead and forced the capital’s only functioning airport to shut down.

Health Ministry spokesman Omar Matouq says the death toll from Monday’s fighting is expected to rise.

An airport official tells The Associated Press that staffers were evacuated from Matiga airport and that five flights have been canceled. He says state-run airlines received information that the clashes have caused damage to some of the passenger jets inside the airport, but there was no way to confirm the reports.

The militias are both allied to the internationally recognized government. Both are armed with heavy weapons.

— AP