Violent clashes broke out this morning between armed groups near Tripoli airport, according to reports of residents. Explosions could be heard from the road leading to the airport and other parts of the Libyan capital. A source from the country’s Civil Aviation said that all flights to and from the airport were cancelled. “Rockets hit the region at around 6 am local time. It was followed by clashed of former rebels of Zeden who control the airport and other organizations who want to kick them out”, said the same source, who requested to remain anonymous.

Islamist organizations had called through social networking sites to oust the former rebels from the points that they control in Tripoli and the airport which is about 25 miles from the capital center.

After Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow in 2011, the airport is controlled by the rebels of a city 170 km southwest of Tripoli. The transitional authorities of the country have so far failed to disarm or disband groups of former rebels who have seized several strategic infrastructure points.