Libya: Planes Destroyed as Rockets Hit Tripoli Airport

Several rockets have struck Libya's main airport where rival armed groups have been fighting for days.

Grad rockets struck Tripoli airport in the Libyan capital, destroying 90% of the planes stationed there, according to government spokesman Ahmed Lamine.

Lamine said that the North African country was considering requesting assistance from international forces to re-establish security in the country's capital.

"The government has studied the possibility to bring international forces to enhance security," he said.

"This would give the government time to build the state and institutions," he added.

In the latest clashes at the airport, one person was reported killed, six wounded and 12 planes damaged. The airport's control tower was also hit by rocket fire.

The Zintan armed group, which has held the airport since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, is still in control of the country's aviation thoroughfare despite recent attacks.

Libya continues to struggle with insecurity caused by warring militias since Gaddafi's removal from power. The United Nations has withdrawn all its staff from the country due to the unrest.

"The mission concluded that it would not be possible to continue its work... while at the same time ensuring the security and safety of its staff" the UN said in a statement.

Benghazi airport, the country's second-biggest, has been closed for two months while Misrata airport was also shut recently, leaving no flights from Libya to and from the European Union because smaller regional airports do not meet EU standards.