Tripolitania and Tripoli
A number of unconnected incidents in the capital Tripoli underlined the multi-faceted nature of security threats within the new Libya.
On 17 July four rocket-propelled grenades fired in Hay Al-Andalus,Tripoli, probably part of a revenge attack for the murder of a relative.
On 19 July the Al-Fatah Brigade clashed with a Zintani brigade in an attempt to dislodge them from their compound at Qasr Ben Ghashir, near Tripoli International Airport. Planes were forbidden from taking off and landing for a few hours due to the exchange of gunfire.
On 18-20 July staff went on strike at the Abu Salim Hospital, protesting a shooting incident there that left a Chadian worker dead. Armed men from Tajura were involved in shooting. This is one of a number of incidents where commercial vendors or municipal workers have been attacked for purportedly offending militiamen using their facilities.
On 22 July Nabil Al-Alem, Libya’s Olympic committee president, was freed by his kidnappers after being held for seven days. Al-Alem was snatched from his car by gunmen on 15 July in Tripoli. The release seems to have been the result of professional mediation.
Trouble rumbled on in Bani Walid, the former Qadhafi stronghold west of Misratah. Following the successful 15 July resolution of the kidnapping of two Misratah journalists by Bani Walid tribes, Misratans demonstrated on 20 and 21 July for the release of four more Misratans held in Bani Walid. Two members of the Shield of Libya force, an independent journalist, and a fourth individual have been held in bani Walid since 12 July. The Shield of Libya members were injured after their vehicle was attacked on the road to Bani Walid. The renewed calls for prisoner releases may lead to another military stand-off between Misratah and Bani Walid militants, and may be resolved by further prisoner exchanges.
On 22-23 July that the Libyan-Tunisian Ras Al Jadir border was closed due to unspecified security concerns.
