CAIRO — The United Nations said Monday that it is withdrawing its staff from Libya temporarily because of deteriorating security after rival militias fought over Tripoli International Airport and a renegade general’s forces continued to battle Islamist militias in the eastern city of Benghazi.
In a statement posted on its official website, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya said that the mission had been reducing its staff in the country over the past week. It added that fighting on Sunday and the airport’s closure prompted the move to withdraw its staffers.
‘‘This is a temporary measure. Staff will return as soon as security conditions permit. The United Nations, which stood by the Libyan people in their revolution in 2011, will not abandon them as they seek to build a democratic state,’’ the statement said. It added: ‘‘The United Nations looks forward to continuing to work with its Libyan partners and hopes to return to Tripoli as soon as possible.’’
Tripoli is witnessing one of its worst spasms of violence since the ouster of longtime dictator Moammar Khadafy in 2011, as rival militias fight for control of its airport. The militias, many of which originate from rebel forces that fought Khadafy, became powerful players in postwar Libya, filling a void left by weak police and a shattered army.
At least six people were killed and 25 injured Sunday in the battle over the airport between rival militias. Civil aviation authorities announced a three-day closure of the airport.