MOSCOW, August 26 (RIA Novosti) – The United States in a joint statement with France, Germany, Italy and Britain has condemned the escalation of combat actions and violence in Libya and called for a democratic transition in the conflict-torn country, Agence France-Presse reported.
In the statement released late Monday, the sides stressed that “outside interference in Libya exacerbates current divisions and undermines Libya's democratic transition.” The agency also said that high-ranking US officials confirmed the United Arab Emirates had dropped bombs on Islamist rebels in Tripoli, aiming to regain control of the airport in the capital.
On Monday, airstrikes, targeting the positions of armed Islamist factions that seized and destroyed the airport in Tripoli last weekend continued. According to witnesses, the main building of the airport, adjacent buildings, as well as dozens of civilian planes on the territory have been completely destroyed.
Libya is currently facing its worst wave of violence since the 2011 overthrow of the country’s long-standing leader Muammar Gaddafi and the subsequent civil war. Clashes between government forces and Islamist - allied militias, armed with weapons, seized from Gaddafi government ammunition depots, have been ongoing in the country for months. Many countries are evacuating their citizens and diplomatic staff from the country.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier on Monday that the current political chaos in Libya is triggered by the attempts of the United States and its NATO allies to "forcefully democratize the country."
