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Libya clashes death toll rises to 32: UN-backed government
TRIPOLI, April 8, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – At least 32 people have been killed and
around 50 wounded in fighting with strongman Khalifa Haftar’s troops near
Tripoli, the UN-backed government said.
Health minister A’hmid Omar gave the updated death toll in an interview
with Libya’s Al-Ahrar television station late Sunday. Haftar’s forces have so
far said 14 of their fighters have died.
Fierce clashes raged on Sunday near Tripoli between pro-Haftar fighters and
troops loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord
(GNA).
The two sides also exchanged air strikes days after Haftar — who backs an
administration in eastern Libya opposed to the GNA — launched an offensive
Thursday to seize the capital.
The clashes came despite calls by the United Nations and the United States
for an urgent ceasefire.
Pro-GNA forces on Sunday announced a counteroffensive named “Volcano of
Anger”.
Spokesman Colonel Mohamed Gnounou said the operation was aimed at “purging
all Libyan cities of aggressor and illegitimate forces”, in reference to
Haftar’s fighters.
Libya has been riven by divisions since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011
that killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival administrations and armed
groups vying for power and control of the country’s oil.
Haftar’s offensive has threatened to plunge the country into a full-blown
civil war and once again thwart diplomatic efforts to find a solution to
Libya’s woes.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1313 hrs