TRIPOLI
A Libyan military official confirmed Sunday that a Libyan militia had kidnapped a number of lawmakers and parliament personnel during an attempt to storm the parliament headquarters in Tripoli.
"The army forces and revolutionaries thwarted the attempt to storm the parliament building and adjacent state buildings by Al-Qaaqaa and al-Sawaaq militias," Khaled al-Sharif, the defense ministry undersecretary, told Anadolu Agency.
Al-Sharif said that parliament speaker Nouri Abusahmain was not among those kidnapped, reaffirming that he is "safe and in good health."
Earlier in the day, a lawmaker, who asked not to be named, told Anadolu Agency that gunmen affiliated with Al-Qaaqaa and al-Sawaaq militias kidnapped an unspecific number of deputies and parliament personnel, and are currently blocking the road between Tripoli and the airport.
Eyewitnesses also told Anadolu Agency that militants tried to storm the parliament headquarters, before being driven away by police special forces.
According to the eyewitnesses, Al-Qaaqaa and al-Sawaaq militiamen tried to break into the parliament's buildings, but the "deterrent force" affiliated with the Interior Ministry thwarted the attempt.
MP Omar Boushah told Anadolu Agency that the parliament guards told the lawmakers and employees to leave the building, minutes before the arrival of the militiamen.
Al-Qaqaa and al-Sawaaq are two of the biggest and best equipped armed groups established following the ouster of long-serving strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
By Mohamed al-Nagem
englishnews@aa.com.tr
