CAIRO (AP) — At least six people were killed and 25 injured Sunday when rival militias battled for the control of the international airport in Libya's capital. Besides the seven fatalities, another 36 people were wounded in the clashes, the Libyan Health Ministry said. Explosions and gunfire have been heard around the international airport in Libya's capital as airlines have canceled some international... (Associated Press) 
 
 Gunfire from the battles echoed through Tripoli as fierce fighting raged between Libyan forces and allied militias and a powerful militia from the western city of Zintan that controls the airport, a member of a revolutionary battalion attached to Libya's army chief of staff that took part in the battle said. Comments on pro-Misrata websites suggested that the force was freeing the airport from Zintani control to hand it over to authorities. Those living in the vicinity said troops surrounded the airfield and fired rockets at buildings inside. On Thursday, the UN Support Mission in Libya announced it was pulling out dozens of staff because of security concerns.
– All flights to Libya's main international airport have been suspended while rival militias battle for control of the facility. In Tripoli's worst violence since November, at least seven people have been killed and dozens injured in battles between militia members from the Zintan region, who have controlled the airport since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi, and fighters believed to be from the city of Misrata, Al Jazeera reports. Witnesses reported hearing explosions and anti-aircraft gunfire coming from the airport early yesterday. According to witnesses, Libyan troops fighting with the Misrata militia surrounded the airfield and fired rockets at buildings inside. Civilian aviation authorities say the airport will be closed for at least three days, the AP reports. The latest violence between the militias that fill many security functions in Libya comes as the country waits for the results of last month's elections, which the US fears could lead to more fighting. The US "is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Libya and dangerous posturing that could lead to widespread conflict there," a State Department spokeswoman said yesterday.