CAIRO (AP) — Libya’s capital is seeing its worst violence since the country’s civil war three years ago.
Heavy gunfire between militias today kept firefighters from battling a huge blaze in Tripoli, despite calls for a cease-fire. The blaze, which engulfed oil facilities, started in the crossfire of fighting over Tripoli’s international airport.
In the eastern city of Benghazi, Islamist-led militias said they also seized bases of a renegade general fighting against them today.
The violence has prompted many diplomats and foreigners to flee the country, including the U.S. ambassador in Libya and United Nations staff. Spain’s Foreign Ministry says a Spanish military plane also evacuated 60 people from Libya. The Spanish ambassador will remain in Tripoli with a reduced staff.
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