Libya interior minister Fathi Bashagha escapes assassination attempt

The powerful interior minister of Libya’s unity government survived an assassination attempt Sunday, an aide said, sparking fears of resurgent violence despite UN-led peace efforts.

Fathi Bashagha’s convoy “was fired on from an armoured car” while he was on the motorway near the capital Tripoli, seat of the Government of National Accord (GNA), a member of his inner circle said.

“His police escort returned fire. Two of the assailants were arrested,” the source said.

A third later died in hospital, a source close to the minister said.

An intense exchange of gunfire was heard at around 3pm on the coastal road near Janzur on the eastern edges of Tripoli, which was later closed for an hour by security forces.