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Libyan Forces Claim to Take Key Town From Rival Army

VOA News

   Forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognized government claim
   they have seized a key town south of Tripoli from forces from a rival
   eastern-based government.

   Officials with Prime Minister's Fayez al-Sarraj's Government of
   National Accord said Wednesday that they took over Gharyan in a
   surprise attack from forces loyal to Gen.Khalifa Haftar.

   Haftar's army had set up offices in the town, which also ishome to
   field hospitals and a helicopter base.

   Haftar's forces saidthere wasfighting in Gharyan but did not concede
   defeat.

   Fighting between the two armies has been centered in the suburbs south
   of Tripoli for several months, with neither side making much
   progress.But the clashes have driven thousands of civilians from their
   homes or to government-run shelters.

   Libya has been in constant chaos since longtime dictator Moammar
   Gadhafi was toppled and killed in 2011.

   Al-Sarraj has been struggling to assert authority while Haftar looks to
   take power.The turmoil has given extremist groups, such as Islamic
   State, the opportunity to entrench themselves in Libya.

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