Libya considers calling for international troops

CAIRO (AP) — Libya’s interim government says it is considering requesting the international community to send troops to the country after three days of fighting destroyed large parts of the capital’s airport.

In a statement posted on its official website early Tuesday, the government also urged all rival parties to cease hostilities, saying commanders who violate its orders would face charges of “crimes against humanity.” It added that a national committee would supervise the withdrawal of militias from the airport area to outside the city.

The government also said that 90 percent of the aircraft at the airport were hit in the shelling, while several buildings, including the customs house, were completely destroyed.

The fighting was some of the most intense seen in Tripoli since longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi was toppled in 2011.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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