TRIPOLI, Libya - Fire destroyed the terminal at Tripoli's main airport on Sunday, one day after it was seized by militia fighters, witnesses said. Unidentified war planes also attacked targets in the capital, residents said, the latest stage of the worst fighting in Libya since the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
Tripoli residents heard jets followed by explosions at dawn but more details were not immediately available. It was unclear who had burned the terminal and supporters of the rival factions took to social media to accused each other. All planes in front of the airport's main building were damaged, as well as many houses and office buildings on airport road. The central government lacks a functioning national army and relies on militias for public security. While these forces receive state salaries and wear uniforms, they report in practice to their own commanders and towns. Renegade general Khalifa Haftar, who has declared war on Islamist-leaning militias, claimed responsibility for air raids on Tripoli on Saturday.
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