(VOVworld) – The Libyan government has launched a military operation aimed at liberating the capital Tripoli from armed militias and has called on local residents to launch a civil disobedience campaign in Tripoli until its forces retake the capital.

Military engineering students prepare to destroy a cache of weapons found around Tripoli International Airport (Photo: AFP)

In a statement, Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani accused the militias of destroying property in Tripoli, torturing local people and attacking the houses of the government officials. He also called on young people in Tripoli and its outskirts to join the army to liberate themselves and the capital. The Libyan government committed itself to prosecuting the President of the General National Congress and leader of self-proclaimed government founded by the GNC to overthrow the legal authorities.