UN condemns new violence in Libya

World Today

Recent clashes between militias in Libya’s capital were condemned by the United Nations Monday.

Airstrikes launched by an unknown party targeting Islamist-led militias in Libya’s capital killed six people Monday, authorities said, as the interim government vowed to investigate the strikes amid raging street battles.

The confusion over who launched the two fighter jets shows the chaos still engulfing Libya after the 2011 civil war that toppled down longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

In a statement, the government demanded the chief of staff and military intelligence to investigate the predawn strikes Monday morning targeting positions of militias originally from the coastal city of Misrata and its Islamist allies.

The strikes, under the cover of darkness, sparked fears that a foreign country like Italy carried out the attack, as the Libyan military does not have aircraft that can fly at night, according to a former colonel in the Libyan air force. Libya’s newly elected parliament recently asked the United Nations to protect its civilians and stop the fighting. Italy’s ambassador to Libya even went on local television to say his country was not involved.

Ahmed Hadiya, the spokesman for Libya Shield, an umbrella group for militias, suggested that the warplanes took off from the Wittiya air base west of Tripoli and targeted a base taken over by his militias recently. He did not provide more details.

CCTV America’s Nick Harper reports.

Follow Nick Harper on Twitter @NickHarperFSN

UN condemns new violence in Libya

Recent clashes between militias in Libya's capital were condemned by the United Nations Monday. CCTV America's Nick Harper reports.

Report compiled with information from The Associated Press.