Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Libya’s rival governments, backed by different states in the region have been fighting for control over the border with Tunisia.

A government led by Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thini has ordered military strikes near the Tunisian border.

Thini, expelled from Tripoli by the rival Libyan Dawn movement, has been recognized by the international community and supported militarily by Egypt and several Gulf Cooperation Council states.

In December, the Libyan National Army launched an offensive to recapture Tripoli from Libyan Dawn, believed supported by Qatar. It was not clear whether the Thini-led forces achieved significant progress.

The so-called Libyan National Army launched air strikes on both the border crossing of Ras Jadir as well as positions south of the capital Tripoli. So far, the Thini-led forces conducted three air strikes near the Tunisian border, one of them on Dec. 5.

“The Libyan National Army will control the border with Tunisia today,” military spokesman Mohammed Hijazi said.

Hijazi did not cite the target of the air strikes. But Libyan sources said a missile battery had been operating near Ras Jadir that threatened fighter-jets sent by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which bombed Libyan Dawn targets around Tripoli.

The United Nations said it would try to end the war between the rival governments in Libya. Talks between the warring sides, led by UN representative Bernardino Leon, were scheduled for Dec. 9.

“The continuing escalation in the violence and statements threatening more military action do not help create the atmosphere conducive to hold this political dialogue.” the UN Support Mission in Libya said.

  Rival Libyan governments fight to control border with Tunisia, WorldTribune.com