Fight continues in Tripoli

Militias loosely affiliated with a weak UN-backed government were defending Tripoli from the self-styled Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter. More than 120 people have been killed since the Libyan commander launched an assault on the capital 10 days ago.

Tripoli: Militias affiliated with a weak UN-backed government were seen defending Tripoli from the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter on Sunday.

Till now more than 120 people have been killed since Hifter announced his intention to seize the city 10 days ago, said the UN health agency.

According to the World Health Organisation 121 people have been killed in the fighting and another 561 have been wounded.

Libya was into civil war in 2011 after Hifter, 75, vowed to unify the country after years of chaos that lead to the ousting and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

Hifter has led many campaigns against Islamic militants and other rivals in eastern Libya, and has received support from the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Egypt and France.