- Title: LIBYA: Libyan rebels claim they control Tripoli airport
- Date: 26th August 2011
- Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (AUGUST 25, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF AIRPORT REBEL HOLDING GUN VARIOUS OF PLANES ON TARMAC VARIOUS OF BURNT PLANE MORE OF BURNT PLANE/PLUMES OF SMOKE RISING TALE OF PLANE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDUL SALAM SAKALI, REBEL LEADER SAYING: "We secured the airport but Gaddafi forces have been shooting at the airport trying to destroy public property. They started shooting at planes and totally destroyed one and another was also hit. He keeps on trying in the evening to target the planes." PARTS OF BURNT PLANE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDUL SALAM SAKALI, REBEL LEADER SAYING: "We have total control over the airport from the four directions, east, west, south and north. Our problem is with Gaddafi's army. It is located in a far area and shoots at the airport. This area is totally secured and under control of the rebels. Airport officials can come and operate the airport as of today." VARIOUS OF AN AFRIQIYAH PLANE ON TARMAC
- Embargoed: 10th September 2011 08:07
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: Conflict
- Reuters ID: LVABGU1SNXKB4D6VR7UGFWKYQYN1
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Libyan rebels on Thursday (August 25) said they 'secured' Tripoli's commercial airport having fought off those loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
"We secured the airport but Gaddafi forces have been shooting at the airport trying to destroy public property. They started shooting at planes and totally destroyed one and another was also hit. He keeps on trying in the evening to target the planes," said one of the rebel leaders Abdul Salam Sakali.
Charred parts of planes were visible on the airport's tarmac and plumes of smoke were seen rising from aircrafts.
But Sakali said the airport is now a safe area and the rebels now have 'total control' over it.
''Our problem is with Gaddafi's army. It is located in a far area and shoots at the airport. This area is totally secured and under control of the rebels. Airport officials can come and operate the airport as of today," Sakali added.
Aircrafts that were destroyed during the intense fighting between the rebels and Gaddafi loyalists were Libyan Airlines and Afriqiya planes.
Rebel forces are also purging Tripoli's streets of diehard gunmen still loyal to fugitive Muammar Gaddafi in the final phase of the battle for the Libyan capital.
As a volley of shell fire broke the morning calm in Tripoli, rebels said they were confident they could mop up soldiers clinging to a leader now on the run and presumed to be in hiding in the country he ruled for four decades. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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