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That administration, led by Prime Minister Fayez Serraj, has struggled to unite Libya, or even achieve control over Tripoli, since it was formed last year. It is opposed by another government, led by Islamists and other militia groups, that also claims authority over the divided Libyan capital.

Local media reported that a family of six was killed in the latest factional fighting near Tripolis only functioning airport this week.

General Hifter, at least, can claim unrivaled control over Benghazi, the main city in eastern Libya, where four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, were killed by a mob in 2012. General Hifter has been battling Islamist militants, including the Islamic State, for control of Benghazi since 2014, and he now appears to have won.

Still, General Hifters forces have been accused of human rights abuses, and some critics accuse him of seeking to emulate the strongman rule of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, who was ousted and killed in a bloody uprising in 2011.

General Hifter has made little secret of his ambition to become a national leader in Libya. In a televised address about two weeks ago, he told tribal leaders that if Libyas conflict was not peacefully resolved by December, his forces would take action.

On Thursday, Libyans who oppose General Hifter seized on images from his latest address, showing him in a sparkling white uniform adorned with medals, and which bore a strong resemblance to images of Colonel Qaddafi while in power.

How can you say liberated when it fell into the hands of a new Qaddafi called Hifter? Aber Sabeel, a Twitter user, wrote about the events in Benghazi.

But General Hifter appears to enjoy broad support in the eastern part of the country, where after six years of turmoil Libyans crave stability. Last year his forces seized control of several of Libyas major oil terminals. Oil is the countrys primary source of wealth, and since the seizures, production has increased to almost one million barrels a day.

Nour Youssef reported from Cairo, and Declan Walsh from Doha, Qatar.

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A Libyan Commander Says His Forces Have Taken Benghazi - New York Times

Five people have been killed and 32 injured after a shell fired by militiain the Libyan capital of Tripoli fell on unsuspecting sunbathers on a beach not far from the citys airport.

The Ministry of Health from Tripolis U.N.-backed government confirmed in a statement the death toll included two adult women, two girls and young boy. All five were visiting the beach Tuesday in eastern Tripoli,where it is common for residents to cool themselves onhot summer evenings.

Deputy Interior Minister Abdulsalam Ashour told Libyas local Al-Ahrar television channel the casualties were the result of clashes between security forces at Tripolis Mitiga International Airport and outlaws.

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Related: African migrants smuggled into Libya are being sold at modern-day slave markets

However,one Tripoli resident, familiar with security arrangements at Mitiga, tells Newsweek the errant shell was fired by a member of the al-Boni militia, part of security operations at the airport, and nominally under the control of Tripolis government.

For years Libyas western capital, Tripoli, has been plagued by skirmishes and clashes between the patchwork of militias formally incorporated into the security apparatus but in reality under the control of their own commanders.

Increasing tensions between local Tripoli fighters and forces from the central Libyan city of Misrata, one of the most powerful military powers to emerge from the countrys 2011 uprising against Muammar el-Qaddafi, have boiled over because of disagreements over the U.N.-backed government.

Crowds enjoy a beach in Tripoli, Libya, June 25, 2014. Five people were killed and 32 injured after a shell fired by militia in the Libyan capital fell on unsuspecting sunbathers on a beach not far from the citys airport. REUTERS/Steve Crisp

Reuters reported that in late May, 22 fighters were killed during a major offensive by Islamist-leaning forces to dislodge the U.N.-backed government from the capital.

However, rivalries between militia in Tripoli also have been fueled by turf wars over lucrative smuggling networks. The Tripoli resident, whose name is being withheld for fear of reprisal, explained Mitiga was a hub for the black-market trade in currency and human trafficking.

Since the toppling of Libyas 40-year leader during a NATO-backed intervention, the northern African nation has lurched from crisis to crisis. The country is now effectively divided between east and west with an unstable government in Tripoli and a rival government in Tobruk, aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar.

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Libya: Shell Kills Five Sunbathers on Tripoli Beach as Militia Airport Feud Rages - Newsweek

News Roundup - Tue, Jul 4, 2017 The Libya Observer Libyan authorities handed over two IS Tunisian nationals to their Tunisian counterpart via Ras Ajdair border crossing. According to Tunis Afrique Presse, the two were arrested in Libya's Al-Khums city after running away from Sirte and they will be sent ... and more »

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News Roundup - Tue, Jul 4, 2017 - The Libya Observer

The Libya Observer

First landing in Tripoli International Airport since 2014 The Libya Observer A Libyan Airlines plane touched down in Tripoli International Airport on Tuesday to mark the first landing in the airport since 2014. The airplane was carrying the Head of the UN-proposed government's Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sirraj, and his ... Tripoli International Airport receives first flight since 2014Libyan Express all 3 news articles »

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First landing in Tripoli International Airport since 2014 - The Libya Observer

KEY FIGURES

240,188 Libyans currently internally displaced persons (IDPs)

1 249,298 returned IDPs (returns registered in 2017)

1 41,319 registered refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya

81,973 persons arriving in Italy by sea so far in 2017

2 1,718 sea rescue/hygiene kits distributed so far in 2017

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

On 28 June, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack targeted a UN Convoy in Azzawya, 48km west of Tripoli. The four armoured vehicles, carrying 16 UN staff members, were traveling from Surman to Tripoli. No casualties were reported. Coordination for the safe return of the staff to Tripoli is ongoing. There are currently 14 UN organizations with 125 national staff in Tripoli. UNHCR is present in Tripoli and Benghazi with 34 national staff. International staff in Tunis (19) undertake temporary missions to Tripoli, on a rotational basis. This incident may have an impact on UNHCRs plans to expand presence in Libya.

The European Council met on 22-23 June 2017 and discussed, among other topics, measures to tackle migration and to protect the European Unions external borders. European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the EU's comprehensive approach to migration, noting that loss of life and continuing migratory flows of primarily economic migrants on the Central Mediterranean route is a structural challenge and remains an issue of urgent and serious concern. Conclusions of the meeting also indicated that EU Member States will have to restore control to avoid a worsening humanitarian crisis and that IOM and UNHCR remain important partners, including to facilitate voluntary returns and improve reception conditions.

RESPONSE UPDATE

On 26 June, 133 asylum seekers and migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea by the Libyan Coast Guard (LCG) and disembarked at Azzawya. They were transferred to Al Nasr Detention Centre (DC). UNHCR and the International Medical Corps (IMC) provided medical assistance to 45 individuals among the group, including a mother and her two week old baby. Meanwhile, the Libyan Red Crescent reported that 25 bodies were washed off the shores near Tripoli. So far, from January to May 2017, 6,243 people were rescued/intercepted at sea by the LCG, a decrease of 15% compared to the same period in 2016.

So far in 2017, UNHCR has registered 2,772 refugees in Libya, hence a total of 41,319 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNCHR to date. The majority are Syrians (50%), Palestinians (16%) and Eritreans (11%). During the reporting period, UNHCR organized a training on child health and nutrition for young Sudanese, Syrian and Palestinian mothers. Participants also received food and NFIs assistance.

UNHCR organized a training on international refugee law and mixed migration for 24 participants, including UNHCR staff and partners as Cooperazione e Sviluppo Onlus (CESVI) and IMC. A health monitoring visit in June reported 150 cases of scabies at Triq al Sika detention center. UNHCR, IOM and partners contributed to the scabies treatment campaign at the detention facility. UNHCR provided 400 blankets and 800 sleeping mats to 320 detainees (of which 23 women); other partners provided anti-scabies fumigation and medication.

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UNHCR Libya Operation Update 23 - 29 June 2017 - Reliefweb