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Libyan troops regain control of airport

Published:Tuesday | June 5, 2012 | 11:56 AM

Libyan forces say they have regained control of the main airport in Tripoli, after an armed militia group took over the runway demanding their leader's release.



Libya's deputy interior minister Omar Khadrawi says dozens of militiamen from the al-Awfia Brigade were arrested, after they drove armoured trucks onto the runway forcing several flights to divert.



Reports say the al-Awfia brigade had refused to leave until their demands were met.



There were no reports of casualties, but Khadrawi said a hangar was destroyed and a field set on fire.



It is, however, unclear how the stand-off ended and whether the government made any concessions to the brigade.