Militias loyal to Libyan general attack parliament
Iran Press TV
Sun May 18, 2014 8:45PM GMT
Heavily-armed gunmen have attacked the Libyan parliament in the capital Tripoli with anti-aircraft weapons in an assault claimed by forces loyal to a Libyan general who has vowed to purge the North African country of militants.
Witnesses said the attacking forces of retired general Khalifa Haftar shelled the General National Congress building from the city's southern edge on Sunday. The attackers rode in on trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns and armored vehicles.
Heavy smoke rose from the parliament building as the gunmen clashed with guards.
Lawmaker Omar Bushah said that the gunmen raided lawmakers' offices and set the parliament building on fire. There were no immediate reports of any casualties from hospital officials.
Another legislator Khaled al-Mashri said the attackers wanted to prevent lawmakers from picking a new Cabinet.
The goal of the attackers "is to destroy an icon democracy elected by the people," he said.
A witness said the assailants abducted two people from the parliament.
Mohamed al-Hejazi, a spokesman for Haftar said his forces had carried out the assault.
The latest violence in Tripoli came after deadly fighting in the eastern city of Benghazi on Friday, when Haftar's troops struck two militia bases, setting off clashes that killed at least 79 people.
It was not immediately clear if there was any link between the unrest in Tripoli and the Benghazi clashes.
On Saturday, parliamentary speaker and military commander-in-chief Nuri Abu Sahmain accused Haftar of trying to stage a coup.
Libya's parliament has been paralyzed by divisions among different factions. Many Libyans blame the parliament for their failure to move toward democratic transition since the 2011 popular uprising that toppled former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Nearly three years after the fall of Gaddafi, Libya is still grappling with rising insecurity as the country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups.
The former rebels refuse to lay down arms despite efforts by the central government to impose law and order.
Thousands of angry Libyan demonstrators have recently taken to the streets in different cities to protest against lack of security across the country.
MP/MAM/AS
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