Libyan government and army call for ceasefire in Tripoli

The Libyan government and army have called for an immediate ceasefire around Tripoli Airport in the south of the capital, Anadolu news agency reported on Sunday.

Libya’s Ministry of Health reported that nine Libyans were killed and 30 wounded on Sunday as factions loyal to the army and militia groups traded fire near the airport.

Security sources said that the pro-army Libya Shield forces succeeded in taking over all the military bases and the international airport after the withdrawal of the militias.

In a news brief, Anadolu quoted the spokesperson of the Libyan government, Ahmed Al-Amin, as saying: “We are calling for all sides to immediately and unconditionally stop fighting.” He placed the moral responsibility for the bloodshed on the militias.

Al-Amin called for talks between all sides with the help of civil society and prominent tribal leaders in order to reach an end to all differences. He also called for Libyans to stop using weapons against each other, stressing that sovereign places such as airports should be protected from any internal disputes.

The leadership of the Libyan army also called upon all sides to stop fighting, proposing instead for “wise people” to sort out the disputes. The army added that it had commissioned official military units to protect gas stations and banks in Tripoli.

The fighters with Libya Shield aim to liberate the public facilities, castles and farms of the previous regime, which have been captured by tribal militias.