Libyan FM says airport fighting not related to Gaddafi
  • 12 years ago
Libyan Foreign Minister Ashour Bin Khayal is in South Korea on an official visit.

He told awaiting media that fighting in Tripoli's international airport is not related to ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBYAN FOREIGN MINISTER ASHOUR BIN KHAYAL SAYING:

"Just, you know, this is a game, sometimes it happens between people from different sectors, so it is not Gaddafi's group. I think it's an internal problem, it's an easy one, and it's over now."

Gunmen drove armed pickup trucks onto the tarmac and surrounded planes, forcing the airport to cancel flights.

Members of a militia group demanded the release of their leader, whom they said was being held by Tripoli's security.

Monday's violence is the latest in a series of incidents as the North African country prepares for its first free polls for a national assembly since last year's war.

Sophia Soo, Reuters.