Ceasefire agreement in place in Libya’s capital

BY Libyan Express Sep 26, 2018 - 21:09

Clashes in Khalit Al-Furjan in southern Tripoli (Phot: Social Media)

The Government of National Accord (GNA) welcomed “the return of calm” after the battle for power between militias left at least 117 dead and more than 400 injured since it broke out in the capital’s southern suburbs on August 27, according to official figures, and displaced over 25,000 people.

The agreement was signed by representatives of the capital and the town of Tarhuna, southeast of Tripoli, the GNA interior ministry said.

The ceasefire, which already came into effect on Tuesday, allowed the reopening of the capital’s only working airport, at a former military base in Mitiga on the capital’s eastern outskirts, that had closed several times because of the clashes.

It also allowed many families to return to their homes, although others were delayed by heavy rains on Wednesday that closed off several roads.

The ceasefire which is ratified by interior minister Abdessalem Ashour obliges the rival armed groups to implement a UN-brokered ceasefire, signed on September 4, and to form a joint security force of police from Tripoli and Tarhuna to patrol the capital’s southern suburbs.

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