Libya mulls international intervention to stop violence

Tripoli, July 15 (IANS) Libya is considering international intervention to curb the ongoing violence in the country, a government spokesman said Tuesday.

"The government has sought international forces to help establish peace and for protecting the citizens and resources," Xinhua quoted the spokesman as saying.

He added that international intervention will "prevent chaos and confusion" and give time for the government to build its own army and police.

Intense fighting has been going on in the capital city of Tripoli since early Sunday when Islamist armed groups launched attacks on the Tripoli International Airport and some key road intersections.

Meanwhile, violent clashes erupted in the eastern city of Benghazi Monday killing three people and injuring dozens.

The UN made a statement Monday to pull out all its staff from Libya, saying that the latest fighting has made it impossible to continue its work.

Libya has witnessed a drastic escalation of violence and political instability since the toppling of the country's former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya's central government has failed to control the former rebels and militia, many of whom now operate with impunity.