Libyan government condemns airstrike on airbase by rival forces

Libya's UN-backed government of national accord condemned Tuesday in a statement an airstrike in the central district of Al-Jufra by the rival forces of army general Khalifa Haftar.

The attack struck an airplane belonging to the government forces, "which carried military officers on their way to pay condolences to a deceased fellow officer's family," and wounded "several" troops, the statement said.

"We strongly warn against this unjustified continued escalation which would result in unwanted conflict," it added.

However, a spokesman for the army led by Haftar announced on the same day the airstrike targeted the al-Qaida terrorist group.

"The airstrike completely destroyed a C130 aircraft in Al-Jufra airbase as it was carrying al-Qaida fighters, ammunition and weapons," Col. Ahmad Al-Mismari said.

Ahmad Al-Ghusri, spokesman of the pro-government forces, said the airplane "was carrying a social delegation from Misrata (in northwestern Libya) to offer condolences for a family of a deceased person, not terrorists."

Misrata's Elders Council also slammed the airstrike in a statement on Wednesday, calling for mobilization against Haftar's forces.

Since an uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi's government in 2011, the North African country has been struggling to make a democratic transition. In December 2015, a shaky UN-backed peace accord between rival parties in Libya was reached to establish a national unity government led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj.

The war-torn country is now mostly split between two rival groups, namely the internationally recognized Serraj government, based in the eastern port city of Tobruk, and the Tripoli-based General National Congress supported by Haftar. Endi