Militants Capture Tripoli Airport From Other Militants

[Frogman]

Libya crisis: Tensions rise as Tripoli airport seized

An armed militia alliance in Libya has captured Tripoli's international airport after a battle lasting nearly a month.

Islamist-affiliated forces from Misrata and other cities took over the airport from the Zintan militia, which has held it for three years.

Libya's new parliament, largely opposed to the Islamists, condemned the move.

Violence in Libya has surged recently between the rival groups who overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in the 2011 uprising.

The airport, Libya's largest, has been closed for over a month because of the fighting.

Hundreds have died since fighting broke out in Tripoli in July. Millions of dollars in damage has been caused to the airport.

'Sovereignty' at stake

Libya's new parliament, the House of Representatives, said the groups now in control of the airport were "terrorist organisations".

The new parliament, which is based in Tobruk because of violence in Libya's main cities, has repeatedly called for the militia groups wielding power in the country to disband the join the nascent national army.

But so far, few have shown a willingness to disarm.

Analysis by the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli

The significance of one militia seizing Tripoli's airport from another is difficult for many civilians in the capital to grasp - especially those displaced by the fighting, and families who have had to bury their dead after stray rockets hit their homes.

Libya's main airport is a wreck, but it didn't stop those who overran it taking pictures of each other celebrating what they see as a victory.

It's a symbolic win for them and their backers. However, as long as Libya's airports, oil terminals, ports and other key institutions are run by militias on either side of the divide, nothing has really changed on the ground.

It won't until the state takes control, and it is nowhere near doing so.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Misratan-led militia alliance called for the previous Islamist-dominated parliament to reconvene.

Umar Humaydan, who was himself a spokesman for the previous parliament, said that the move was necessary to "save the country's sovereignty".

It follows claims by the Misratan-led forces that they were targeted by mystery airstrikes for a second time this week.

However, correspondents say the call is likely to fall on deaf ears.

Explosions in capital

Our correspondent in Tripoli says there were unconfirmed reports of battles continuing between rival armed groups on the outskirts of the city on Saturday evening. Explosions could also be heard in the capital.

The capture of the airport is a setback for Zintani forces, who are loosely allied to Gen Khalifa Haftar.

The ex-army chief, whose forces mainly operate in the east of the country, launched a campaign earlier this year against what he termed the "Islamist-dominated" government.

The country's militias and political parties alike have had shifting alliances over the last two years.

Our correspondent says that the struggle is not a clear-cut Islamist versus nationalist battle because some militias are essentially fighting for their continued existence and empowerment.

Thousands have fled their homes to escape the violence.

More than three years after Gaddafi was overthrown and killed, Libya's police and army remain weak in comparison with the militias who control large parts of the country.

BBC News - Libya crisis: Tensions rise as Tripoli airport seized

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It is not only General Haftar's militias that are attempting to overthrow and replace the democratically elected government.

 

[Skallagrim]

This 'democratically elected' government called for foreign intervention in their own soil.

 

[Frogman]

This 'democratically elected' government called for foreign intervention in their own soil.

The militias which effectively rule Libya and are causing its rapid descent are a result of foreign intervention (which they called for against Gaddafi). Without any substantial or capable forces under its command, the government is effectively out of any
options against Haftar and Islamist militants trying to overthrow or replace it. Their call for international assistance to quell violence and to preserve themselves is understandable.

 

[al-Hasani]

The militias which effectively rule Libya and are causing its rapid descent are a result of foreign intervention (which they called for against Gaddafi). Without any substantial or capable forces under its command, the government is effectively out of any
options against Haftar and Islamist militants trying to overthrow or replace it. Their call for international assistance to quell violence and to preserve themselves is understandable.

This is correct but when Gaddafi ruled it was his militia that controlled Libya with brute force and kept everything and everyone that was not pro-Gaddafi down. Now we have a weak central power were various greedy fractions are fighting for power.

If you ask me this was and is an inevitable process that Libya somehow must embark on in order to improve. I don't see what the solution is otherwise?

Because I am sure that we all can agree (or at least most of us) that neither Gaddafi nor this chaos is acceptable.

Just like in Iraq and Syria where you had/have Saddam Hussein and Bashar Al-Assad and various groups to choose from. All are evils.

I have discussed those issues in detail but I am about to embark to the beach so I can't write an essay here but I believe that what Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria is doing in cooperation is the only right way as of now.

Of course in a ideal world those countries should never have been ruled by dictators and if they were the process from dictators to more democratic rule should have happened WHEN the people and country was ready. Obviously this is not the case in neither of those 3 countries YET.

 

[Skallagrim]

The militias which effectively rule Libya and are causing its rapid descent are a result of foreign intervention (which they called for against Gaddafi). Without any substantial or capable forces under its command, the government is effectively out of any
options against Haftar and Islamist militants trying to overthrow or replace it. Their call for international assistance to quell violence and to preserve themselves is understandable.

Foreign military intervention may accomplish the immediate goal, that is, neutralizing the militias, which is not even going to be smooth or easy imho, and the government runs the risk of alienating its own people as foreign nations have their own agenda which may not converge with the interests of the people.

 

[Frogman]

Foreign military intervention may accomplish the immediate goal, that is, neutralizing the militias, which is not even going to be smooth or easy imho, and the government runs the risk of alienating its own people as foreign nations have their own agenda which may not converge with the interests of the people.

I think the Libyan people have already been alienated by the actions of the militias and the governments impotence. I'm not sure the government has any other option regarding the current crisis, there does not seem to be any official long term or short term
plans on how to rebuild the Libyan state and getting rid of the militias.

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Egypt to host Libya conference on Monday

(AFP) / 24 August 2014

The meeting in Cairo on Monday will include the foreign ministers of Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad and Niger.


Egypt will host a meeting of foreign ministers of Libya and its neighbours on Monday, as Islamist militias openly challenge the legitimacy of parliament after seizing Tripoli’s airport.

Almost three years after a Nato-backed revolt ousted strongman Moammer Gadhafi, Libya has been roiled by fighting between ex-rebels who have formed militias.

The meeting in Cairo on Monday will include the foreign ministers of Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad and Niger, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The grouping last met in July when it called for political dialogue and the formation of a council to follow the crisis in Libya.

Fajr Libya, a coalition of Islamist militias, on Saturday announced the capture of Tripoli’s battered international airport from nationalist militiamen.

The announcement came a day after an unidentified warplane raided Islamist positions around the airport, killing 13 fighters, a Fajr Libya spokesman said.

Egypt to host Libya conference on Monday - Khaleej Times

 

[mike2000]

This is correct but when Gaddafi ruled it was his militia that controlled Libya with brute force and kept everything and everyone that was not pro-Gaddafi down. Now we have a weak central power were various greedy fractions are fighting for power.

If you ask me this was and is an inevitable process that Libya somehow must embark on in order to improve. I don't see what the solution is otherwise?

Because I am sure that we all can agree (or at least most of us) that neither Gaddafi nor this chaos is acceptable.

Just like in Iraq and Syria where you had/have Saddam Hussein and Bashar Al-Assad and various groups to choose from. All are evils.

I have discussed those issues in detail but I am about to embark to the beach so I can't write an essay here but I believe that what Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria is doing in cooperation is the only right way as of now.

Of course in a ideal world those countries should never have been ruled by dictators and if they were the process from dictators to more democratic rule should have happened WHEN the people and country was ready. Obviously this is not the case in neither of those 3 countries YET.

Well coming from a country who is the worlds most repressive/dictatorial, im not surprised. In fact i think the first country our governments in the west/U.S should interven to imposed 'democracy' should be Saudi Arabia. Its the heart of global Jihad/whabism/finance of terrorism in the world, every sane person knows that. Its just that we have just too much interests in the country and still controls it to some extent, thats why our media shields Saudi Arabia from any negative reporting unlike unruly Iran, Syria, or Libya etc. In fact compare to Saudi Arabia, iran and Syria can be said to be democracies.

As for the situation in Libya, i must say this is the one country were i have come to believe some conspiracies theories(which i never believed in before) who say this uprising was instigated by foreign powers. Im saying this because i have been to libya before the war in 2009. Back then, Libya had the highest living standards/gdp per capital in Africa(higer than even some countries in Europe), it was the only African country i know of who had unemployement benefits(something even some european countries dont have), there was order in the country and lots of people from other 'democratic' African countries used to emigrate to Libya to seek for a better life. Today looking at libya makes me want to cry, its really a tragedy to see one of Africa leading countries turning into a failed state because of our governments foolish democratic interventions which has only empowered islamists fanatics.

Libya will be another Somalia as things go, a failed state it is already with little or no central government and militias controling their own regions/territories. I really feel bad seeing this country descent into chaos like it has. For once i will like our governments to mind their own bussiness, though i know they do this to protect our interests. Its up to the people of Africa/Arabs/muslims to grow up and understand how geo politics works and strive to see things fro their own perspectives since foregn powers only seek to pretect their own interests, if that interests involves destroying/creating chaos in a country, then im afraid to say it yes we will create the chaos. This is nothing new, thats how geo politics has always been for centuries and how it will be in future. Its up to others to know what they want and how to protect their own interests, no foreign power will come and develop your country for you or 'help you' all these talk of democracy is just a tool of our foreign policy. So Africans/Muslims/Arabs need to grow up and assume their respnsibilities.

WIshing all the best to Libya, i really had a good time there during my stay there, will never forget the warmth and friendliness i had there. Sad to see it as it is today.

 

[al-Hasani]

@mike2000

You little fool. KSA was never a Western colony. In fact people from what is now KSA, Hijaz precisely, created 3 of the 11 largest empires in human history. More than any other ethnic group in the top 15. We imposed our culture, religions, language, will etc. on others and not the other way around. In fact we even rival you when it comes to slavery. So you are not talking to a Congolese here. We were a world power before anyone had even heard about your little island.

List of largest empires - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You or any other Western country cannot do anything against KSA in terms of invading. Imagine if some Brit openly threatened to invade The Land of the Two Holy Mosques and what that would mean in the eyes of almost 2 billion Muslims.

Your oppression nonsense is a big joke.

KSA is in the top 40 in terms of Human Development Index. So take your nonsense elsewhere false-flagger.

Number 34 as of 2014.

List of countries by Human Development Index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have been observing your posts for a while and 90% of them are somehow about KSA and it is obvious that you have an agenda and that you are not a real Brit.

It's crystal clear that you also have a problem with Muslims and Middle Eastern people. Go seek help. You are on a Pakistani forum not Stormfront.

I could not ignore your little rants anymore so had to tell you it the hard way.

 

[mike2000]

@mike2000

You little fool. KSA was never a Western colony. In fact people from what is now KSA, Hijaz precisely, created 3 of the 11 largest empires in human history. More than any other ethnic group in the top 15. We imposed our culture, religions, language, will etc. on others and not the other way around. In fact we even rival you when it comes to slavery. So you are not talking to a Congolese here. We were a world power before anyone had even heard about your little island.

List of largest empires - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You or any other Western country cannot do anything against KSA in terms of invading. Imagine if some Brit openly threatened to invade The Land of the Two Holy Mosques and what that would mean in the eyes of almost 2 billion Muslims.

Your oppression nonsense is a big joke.

KSA is in the top 40 in terms of Human Development Index. So take your nonsense elsewhere false-flagger.

Number 34 as of 2014.

List of countries by Human Development Index - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have been observing your posts for a while and 90% of them are somehow about KSA and it is obvious that you have an agenda and that you are not a real Brit.

It's crystal clear that you also have a problem with Muslims and Middle Eastern people. Go seek help. You are on a Pakistani forum not Stormfront.

I could not ignore your little rants anymore so had to tell you it the hard way.

ahahahhahahahahahah.....well im just stating facts. I dont have anything against Saudis citizens in general. Its the government policies im against. since they are supporting/financing these jihadists. even our politicians know this very well, many people do as well. So dont be ranting against me because i said some hard facts/truth about your government policies. Its nothing personal, afterall we are in a discussion forum.

You say you have a high HDI, its mainly due to the oil reserves/production you have, giving your relatively small population and massive oil reserve, the minimum you can have is a 34th in HDI, which isnt bad, but it should normally be far far better if your countries resources was well/properly managed by the monarchy. Also , Saudi arabia doesn't produce anything noticeable apart from oil, even though they have lots of cash(i see them alot in London with their posh lambourginis/ferraris), the government should be investing more in education, science,manaufacturing and technology instead of madrasas/wahabism and funding islamist groups. Only by doing so will the country be able to create a proper manufacturing sector and high tech industry which is necessary for long term prosperity. Imagine Saudi Arabia oil runs out today, where will the country stand?
Im sure it will be no better than Yemen honestly. Oil wont last forever, so better make proper/better use of it when you still have time and money. Take a cue from east Asian countries like China, South Korea and Japan. In fact even your fellow neighbours in the middle east like Turkey and Iran produce cars, trains, etc and have a decent manufacturing Industry.

As for your comment that im not Brit.lool well im not surprised, since some people have said similar things when i make comments that arent favourable to their country. Indians have accused me of being Chinese/pakistanis when i made comments that wasnt to their liking.lol, Pakistanis have accused me of being Indian when i said vice versa, Chinese have accused me of being Japanese/vietnamese if i make comments critical of them.lol etc. its a never ending cycle. SO guess you people will have to make up your mind which country i am from then.lool If you cant stand to take criticism in a mature manner then refrain from insults bro. I do criticize our governments in the west when we are wrong. that doesnt means i dont love my country, i do passionately. But you can love your country and still disagree with your government's policies i believe. IF you cant afford criticisms then you wont ever advance and learn from mistakes.

On another note, if you cant counter my arguments politely/respectfulness then i will have to ignore you/stop replying to your comments. we are all adults, we can agree to disagree with each other while remaining polite/respectful and not being arrogant and indulging in personal attacks. Thats something i despise. I have never insulted someone on here, even when i dont agree with them, i expect others to do the same. Else we will just derail this thread.