Sleepless night in Tripoli: 180 dead and 800 injured

(Patria) – Nearly 180 people have lost their lives, and more than 800 have been injured in General Khalifa Haftar's attack on Tripoli, agencies report.

The Libyan government has condemned the attack, calling it 'barbaric' and 'inhumane', and warned that evidence will be forwarded to the International Criminal Court.

Haftar, who controls the eastern part of the country, began his advance towards the capital two weeks ago with the intention of capturing it.

Tripoli is controlled by the government recognized by the UN and Western countries.

The citizens of Tripoli have had a sleepless night marked by continuous indiscriminate rocket attacks and the sounds of explosions.

Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj visited some of the affected locations and declared three days of mourning. He stated that evidence of brutal attacks on civilian targets would be forwarded to the International Criminal Court, writes the British newspaper The Guardian.  

The government has announced counter-attacks against Haftar's LNA (Libyan National Army) at their headquarters in the eastern part of the country, in order to regain control of Benghazi.

Haftar's LNA has denied responsibility for the attacks, but demonstrations in Tripoli clearly show that Haftar is considered guilty.

If it fails to protect civilians from Haftar's missiles, the government could lose support in the capital, writes The Guardian.

The government has appealed to world leaders to pressure Haftar to stop the attacks, but so far, there has been no effect.

Italy, the main mediator in ceasefire negotiations, is concerned that the continuation of the civil war could result in new waves of refugees and migrants seeking refuge in Europe.