Dozens Dead After Attack on Libyan Military Academy

The health minister of Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) says that at least 30 people were killed in an attack late Saturday on a military academy in the capital Tripoli. The GNA, based in Tripoli and Tobruk, blamed the attack, which has been described as having come from the air, on Benghazi-based insurgents led by renegade general Khalifa Haftar, whose self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) has besieged Tripoli since last summer. A spokesman for the LNA has denied any involvement. Despite the UN backing for the GNA, Haftar and his forces have support from several countries, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and are said to be fielding units of mercenaries. Turkey is aligned with the GNA. Last week its parliament ratified a government plan to send Turkish troops to Libya to help the GNA in its fight against the LNA. It is believed that these forces would be utilized there in mostly a training and advisory capacity.