TRIPOLI — The Libyan National Army (LNA) of Benghazi-based commander Khalifa Haftar took control of the Tripoli airport bridge and advanced along the airport road and Sawani district toward the City Center areas, well-informed Libyan sources said on Saturday.

According to the sources, the LNA moved beyond the Wadi Al-Rabea area by 7 kilometers to Ain Zara after aerial bombardment of forces loyal to Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in the area.

In another development, Lamia, a member of the Tunisian parliament, disclosed that a Qatari military cargo plane, carrying weapons for militias landed at a Tunis airport following orders from the Hamadain regime of Qatar.

In a blog post on Facebook, she said that the plane landed at Djerba-Zarzis airport on Thursday evening carrying weapons and military equipment to support armed militias in Libya.

The government said on Saturday they have launched a counter-attack against Haftar’s fighters just south of the capital Tripoli.

“We have launched a new phase of attack. Orders were given early this morning to advance and gain ground,” said Mustafa Al-Mejii, a spokesman for the military operation of GNA.

Haftar launched an offensive on April 4 against Tripoli, where the UN-recognized GNA is based. — Agencies