Libya, an attack on an airbase in south of Tripoli has killed 141 people, mostly soldiers loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar, a spokesman for his forces said. Members of the Third Force militia loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli yesterday attacked the base used by Haftar’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA).

LNA spokesman Ahmad al-Mesmari late yesterday said the victims included civilians who worked at the Brak al-Shati airbase or were in the nearby area, also reporting that summary executions took place.Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement late yesterday that a commission of inquiry had been set up to investigate the attack.

It said it has decided to suspend its Defence Minister, al-Mahdi al-Barghati, and the head of the Third Force from their duties until those responsible were identified. Both the GNA and defence ministry earlier condemned the assault and said they had not ordered any such action. The LNA does not recognise the authority of the GNA, and instead supports the rival authorities based in the east. The UN envoy to Libya yesterday voiced alarm at reports of the attack on the base.

The incident at the base in Wadi al-Shati district comes a month after an attack by the LNA on the Tamenhant airbase controlled by the Third Force near the south’s main city of Sebha.