By Sami Zaptia.
Tripoli, 21 January 2014:
The Libyan government assured the public in a press release yesterday that no foreign troops had . . .[restrict]entered Libyan territory through its south eastern borders.
The government added, in its press release, that “these elements and groups that are broadcasting these rumours are attempting to cause confusion and anxiety amongst citizens”.
“The government therefore assures everyone”, the statement continued, “that the situation on the borders is normal and that no forces have entered through the borders to Libyan territory”, the government statement added.
This statement comes on the back of rising tensions in various parts of Libya as a group of pro-Qaddafi supporters occupied Tamenhint air force base about 35 km north east of Sebha, as well as skirmishes in Sebha and the Wirshefana area.
There was also an attack on the Italian war cemetery in Tripoli by a group wielding the green Qaddafi-era flag.
Upon the outbreak of the clashes in Sebha, reports started to circulate that the incidents were initiated by groups of foreigners from Chad. This news had caused anxiety amongst the general public, which called upon the government to react to these foreign forces. [/restrict]