Warplanes again bomb airstrip that had been Libyan capital's only functioning airport
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Libyan security officials say warplanes have again bombed a military air base that until a day earlier was Tripoli's only functioning airport, shortly after the Islamist-backed prime minister said his government was at war.
Late Monday, Prime Minister Omar al-Hassi said the Cabinet will now adopt "a policy of confrontation and war," comments directed at his rivals in Libya's internationally recognized government based in the country's east.
The Monday-Tuesday bombings of Matiga air base — held by Islamist-allied militias — appear to be part of efforts by the elected government to retake the capital after the Islamist-allied militias seized it.
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The base had been used for civilian purposes since last summer when Tripoli International Airport was destroyed. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to brief reporters.