In the Libyan capital Tripoli several rockets are hit. At least seven violent explosions shook Tripoli, news agency AFP reported. From a district in the south of the capital rose according to eyewitnesses dense clouds of smoke. According to rescue workers, two people were killed. These should be civilians. Four other people were injured, according to AFP.
Also the news agency Reuters reported artillery fire in Tripoli. According to this information, at least two people were killed and eight others injured. Residents of downtown Tripoli reported that gunfire at midnight was more intense than in previous nights.
Bound in the outer areas of the city
The renegade Libyan General Chalifa Haftar had launched an offensive on Tripoli in early April. The advance of his soldiers was stuck in the outer areas of the capital. Since then, the fighting continues there.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 174 people have been killed in the fighting. Hundreds of people were injured. Most victims are fighters of the rival parties. According to United Nations estimates, more than 18,000 people have fled the Libyan capital.
New resolution in the Security Council
In the conflict, the troops of the UN-recognized government, based in Tripoli, and the fighters of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Haftar. While western states support the government in Tripoli, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt are confessing to Haftar.
Even before the beginning of a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, media had consistently reported on a new draft resolution, which should be introduced by the United Kingdom. This provides for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and demands that „all parties in Libya immediately de-escalate the situation and commit to a ceasefire.“
According to AFP, the United Kingdom’s resolution accuses Haftar’s forces of using their offensive to endanger stability in the country and the chance for a political solution to the crisis. Whether the new resolution has a chance, however, is questionable. The United States had also demanded a ceasefire a few days after the start of the offensive on Tripoli. But this was blocked by Russia.
