- Title: Libyan authorities close only functional Tripoli airport after air strike
- Date: 8th April 2019
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (APRIL 8, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** YAVAS GETTING OUT OF THE BUILDING AND SALUTING THE CROWD CAMERAMEN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR OF ANKARA, MANSUR YAVAS, SAYING: "The election is over. What happened during the election period remained in the past. We don't hold grudge or enmity. There will be no distinct
- Embargoed: 22nd April 2019 16:38
- Keywords: Libya closure of Mitiga Airport air strike bombing Tripoli airport
- Location: TRIPOLI, LIBYA
- City: TRIPOLI, LIBYA
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001A9LPFLZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Libyan authorities closed the only functioning airport in the capital Tripoli after an air strike, an airport security official said on Monday (April 8).
A warplane bombed Mitiga airport as eastern forces advancing on Libya's capital disregarded global appeals for a truce in the latest of a cycle of warfare since Muammar Gaddafi's fall in 2011.
Passengers could be seen leaving the terminal, and luggage trolleys were left abandoned at the entrance, a Reuters correspondent at Mitiga airport said.
The closure of Mitiga airport leaves Misrata airport, 200 km (125 miles) to the east down the coast, as the closest option for Tripoli residents.
Casualties were mounting in fighting that also threatens to disrupt oil supplies, fuel migration to Europe and wreck U.N. plans for an election to end rivalries between parallel administrations in the country's east and west.
(Production: Hani Amara, Mostafa Salem, Seham Eloraby, Aiden Nulty) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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