TRIPOLI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Clashes renewed in the center of the Libyan capital Tripoli on Tuesday, which led to closure of the nearby Tripoli international airport for the third time in less than two days.
"The clashes erupted again in residential neighborhoods of Ghararat area hours after security forces took control. Patrols of the Special Deterrence Force came under heavy fire," a security source told Xinhua.
"The clashes are still continuing. Flights in the Tripoli International Airport have been stopped because clashes are too close to the airport, and ammunition could hit airplanes flying over the area," the source added.
This closure is the third in less than two days. It was closed on Tuesday morning for a few hours before flights were resumed.
The Special Deterrence Force of the Interior Ministry earlier declared taking control of the area and considered it a "military zone."
"Many of the criminals have been arrested in Ghararat area. The area is now being fully secured," the Force said earlier.
Tuesday clashes killed three and injured four others, including an officer of the Deterrent Force, according to security and medical sources.
The Force warned residents against "moving in places of clashes for their safety."
Libya suffers security vacuum and unrest since the uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. The country is plagued with chaos and political division.
