Militia seizes Tripoli airport








Militiamen pictured during fighting between rival armed groups around Tripoli airportThe airport and the area around it have seen fierce clashes in recent weeks

A militia alliance in Libya says it has seized control of Tripoli airport after a battle with another armed group.

Images emerged of gunmen celebrating on top of a plane amid airport debris.

The airport had already been closed after fighting last month.

The country has been by gripped by conflict between rival militias that spearheaded the 2011 uprising against long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. Several hundred people have died in a recent upsurge of fighting.

The violence has been centred around the international airport in Tripoli and in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Several hundred people are believed to have died in July and August in an upsurge of unrest.

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.