The Libyan army imposed a no fly zone over Benghazi today in a direct challenge to a retired general who has been using airpower to press a campaign against Islamist militants there.
Khalifa Haftar, who lived in exile in the United States before returning home to lead ground forces in the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, heads what he calls a "National Army".
On Friday his paramilitary force, backed by warplanes and helicopters, pounded Islamist militiamen in Libya's second city and fought pitched battles with the ex-rebels.
Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani denounced Haftar's forces as "outlaws" and called on all parties to observer restraint.
But Haftar vowed to press with his war against Islamists, blamed for attacks that have killed dozens of members of the security forces, judges and foreigners since the end of the uprising in October 2011.
"The operation will continue until Benghazi is purged of terrorists," he told Libya Awalan television.
Armed forces chief of staff Abdessalam Hadallah al-Salihin has denied any army involvement in the Benghazi clashes, although he admitted that some officers and army units had defected to join Haftar.
Later Haftar spokesman Colonel Mohammad Hijazi called on people living in the western Benghazi district of Guwersha and the southern one of Sidi Fradj to evacuate their homes.
He did not say if this was the prelude to attacks on those neighbourhoods, which are known to be bastions of the Islamists.
The army's high command upped the ante by declaring all of Benghazi and its suburbs a "no fly zone until further notice," state-run Lana news agency said.
"All military planes flying over the city will be shot down by army units... And units of the revolutionaries (ex-rebels)," it said.
But it was not clear if the army has the means to carry out its threat, which came as local sources said mediation was underway to try and prevent new fighting in Benghazi.
The health ministry said 37 people were killed and 139 wounded in Friday's clashes in Benghazi, cradle of the revolution that toppled and killed Gaddafi.
A precarious calm reigned in the port city today.
