By Jamie Prentis.
Tunis, 28 May 2017:
It is reported that Tripoli International Airport is for the first time in almost three years back under recognised government control. The Presidential Guard – the military force directly under the orders of the Presidency Council – is said to have has taken it over from Tarhouna’s Kani militia.
A letter issued by Presidency Council head Faiez Serraj instructed the guard’s commander, Colonel Najmi Al-Nakua, and the interior ministry to do all it could to secure and protect and ruined airport.
The reported takeover followed a high-level ministerial meeting hosted by the Ministry of Interior in Tripoli today that sought to calm tensions and prevent further incursions by fighters from the radical Fakhr Libya alliance supporting the former General National Congress.
Among those present were the mayors of Tajoura, Tarhouna, Hay Al-Andalus, Suq Al-Juma as well as Tripoli security heads.
The Kani militia has held the airport since 17 April when Misratan forces withdrew. Earlier today it closed all the roads leading to it. This followed an ultimatum to it from pro-PC militia commander Haithem Tajouri to quit the place or face the consequences.
There were unconfirmed reports this evening that Nakua was willing to allow the Kani militia to retain a small force at the airport. But this is unlikely to be acceptable to Tajouri.
