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By Ashraf Abdul-Wahab.
Tripoli, 1 May 2014:
Tripoli airport road was closed today following the outbreak of clashes in . . .[restrict]the Abu Sleem district next to it in which two people were killed.
The clashes followed an attempt by forces from the local office of the Counter Crime Agency (CCA) led by the former SSC commander in the district, Abdul Ghani Kikli (better known as Ghenaiwa) to arrest a number of local drug dealers. However, the operation, which started around 4am, met fierce resistance from the dealers who responded not only with semi-automatic gunfire but RPGs as well.
The two dead are said to be drug dealers.
The road under the Airport Road bridge was blocked with burning vehicles and the CCA warned the public not to go near the area because of random gunfire. Those heading to and from the airport have been having to make lengthy detours as a result.
The Abu Sleem local council and Tripoli Security Directorate are reported to have sent a team to try and negotiate an end to the clashes.
Abu Sleem has some of the poorest housing in the capital and is also known for its continuing pro-Qaddafi sympathies. [/restrict]
