Libya: Pro-Haftar forces 'capture' 3 areas near Tripoli

TRIPOLI

Forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar claimed to have captured three major areas near Libya’s capital Tripoli on Friday.

In a Facebook post, the forces said Qasr bin Ghashir, Wadi Al Rabi and Suq al Khamis areas located in the south of Tripoli were captured.

The regions are about 27 to 40 kilometers away from the center of Tripoli, authorities say.

Mayor of Qasr bin Ghashir stated on Libya's Al Ahrar TV there were violent clashes in the vicinity of the International Tripoli Airport, which had been closed to air traffic since 2014.

Khalifa Hafter, who commands forces loyal to Libya’s eastern government, reportedly announced in a voice recording released on Thursday that they had launched an attack to seize Tripoli.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit from Ankara