Libyan Red Crescent calls for Benghazi ceasefire as fighting rages

BENGHAZI // Libya’s Red Crescent called for a ceasefire in the eastern city of Benghazi on Thursday to allow the evacuation of families trapped by fighting between Islamist militants and pro-government forces.

Banks, government offices, supermarkets and some hospitals were closed in Libya’s second largest city on the second day of the clashes, as war planes bombed suspected Islamist positions.

The port city is caught up in a struggle for control between an alliance of Islamist militia groups and the army, amid turmoil in the country three years after Muammar Qaddafi was ousted.

Troops loyal to former general Khalifa Haftar and allied to the army launched a fresh offensive on Wednesday to regain ground after Ansar Al Sharia and other Islamist groups overran some army camps and closed on the airport.

Residents joined Gen Haftar’s forces, trying to dismantle checkpoints set up by the Islamists. Gunfire could be heard in several areas, forcing residents to stay indoors.

“We urge all parties for a ceasefire, if only for one hour, to allow the evacuation of families from their houses,” the Benghazi branch of the Red Crescent said.

Gen Haftar’s forces said they were in full control of the February 17 militia camp, previously controlled by Islamists.

The airstrikes are part of an Egyptian-orchestrated operation requested by the elected Libyan government, said officials from Cairo on Wednesday.

But both Egyptian and Libyan officials have denied Egypt was carrying out airstrikes, while the US – which maintains a naval presence including surveillance aircraft in the Mediterranean Sea – did not confirm.

* Reuters, with additional reporting from Associated Press