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Libyan army airstrikes capital airport

Xinhua, March 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

A warplane belonging to Libya's national army launched an airstrike on Tripoli's Mitiga airport on Tuesday, according to a local security source.

The warplane dived three times attempting to target the main runway, but eventually hit the ground far from it, a security official, who declined to disclose his name, told Xinhua.

No report of casualties and property loss can be reached immediately.

The air-raid came hours after a Libya Dawn warplane bombed two major oil-ports in eastern Libya Es Sidra and Ras Lanuf, causing no casualties.

It was unclear whether the army air force's maneuver was a retaliation.

Mitiga is the only functioning airport in the capital city after Libya Dawn destroyed Tripoli International Airport and occupied the city last August.

The armed Islamist coalition has set up its own regime to confront the internationally recognized one, which is currently on exile in eastern town of Tobruk.

Libya has witnessed a drastic escalation of violence after the 2011 turmoil which toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The Islamist militants and pro-secular Libyan national army have been vying for cities and towns for months, and fighting still flares near major cities like Benghazi and Tripoli. Endit