The Interior Minister of Libya, Fathi Bashagha, successfully survived an assassination attempt on Sunday near the capital city of Tripoli.

Bashagha's convoy "was fired on from an armoured car while he was on the highway" near Tripoli.

His convoy had returned the fire leading to the arrest of two of the assailants. A third assailant was identified as Radwan al-Hangari, who later died in the hospital, as per sources quoted by news agency AFP.

Also read|&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-ally-erik-prince-violated-libya-arms-embargo-un-364989" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-ally-erik-prince-violated-libya-arms-embargo-un-364989&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwishcWCwPzuAhUBg-YKHRf2C1cQFjACegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw32JafG13_Fn6igrgq25ET_" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-ally-erik-prince-violated-libya-arms-embargo-un-364989" target="_blank">Trump's ally, Erik Prince, violated&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;arms embargo: UN</a>

It is being assumed that the three assailants hailed from Zawiya, 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Tripoli.

The news agency AFP quoted one of their own reporters who heard an intense exchange of gunfire around 3 pm (1300 GMT) on the coastal road near Janzur on the eastern edges of Tripoli.

The road was later closed for investigation for nearly an hour by security forces.

After the incident, the interior ministry has assured everyone that the minister is safe and unharmed. In a statement, the ministry claimed that he was targeted in an "assassination attempt as he returned from his residence in Janzur".&nbsp;

The attackers used an armoured Toyota truck which was fitted with a machine gun.&nbsp;

As of now, only a security guard has been reported as injured. The militants have been arrested and are being questioned, as per sources.

The Interior Minister of Libya, Fathi Bashagha, successfully survived an assassination attempt on Sunday near the capital city of Tripoli. Bashagha's convoy "was fired on from an armoured car while he was on the highway" near Tripoli.

The Interior Minister of Libya, Fathi Bashagha, successfully survived an assassination attempt on Sunday near the capital city of Tripoli. Bashagha's convoy "was fired on from an armoured car while he was on the highway" near Tripoli. His convoy had returned the fire leading to the arrest of two of the assailants. A third assailant was identified as Radwan al-Hangari, who later died in the hospital, as per sources quoted by news agency AFP. Also read| Trump's ally, Erik Prince, violated Libya arms embargo: UN It is being assumed that the three assailants hailed from Zawiya, 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Tripoli. The news agency AFP quoted one of their own reporters who heard an intense exchange of gunfire around 3 pm (1300 GMT) on the coastal road near Janzur on the eastern edges of Tripoli. The road was later closed for investigation for nearly an hour by security forces. After the incident, the interior ministry has assured everyone that the minister is safe and unharmed. In a statement, the ministry claimed that he was targeted in an "assassination attempt as he returned from his residence in Janzur". The attackers used an armoured Toyota truck which was fitted with a machine gun. As of now, only a security guard has been reported as injured. The militants have been arrested and are being questioned, as per sources.

Libya's interior minister survives assassination attempt

Libya’s interior minister Fathi Bashagha survived an attack by gunmen on his motorcade which came under fire outside the capital. The gunmen fired on his convoy as he drove across countries capital Tripoli.

WION Dispatch: Libya's Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha survives assassination attempt

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-will-seek-accountability-on-khashoggi-no-matter-how-high-it-goes-270052">Turkey</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;send&nbsp;troops&nbsp;to&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;at the&nbsp;request&nbsp;of Tripoli as soon as next month, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sports-has-emerged-as-battlefield-for-freedom-of-expression-270322">Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan</a>&nbsp;said on Thursday, putting the north African country's conflict at the centre of wider regional frictions.

Libya's internationally recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-war-all-we-want-is-to-live-in-dignity-says-homeless-mohammed-270106">Government of National Accord</a> (GNA) has been fending off a months-long offensive by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-drone-shot-down-by-russian-air-defences-near-libyan-capital-266794">General Khalifa Haftar's</a> forces in eastern&nbsp;Libya, which have been supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Last month, Ankara signed two separate accords with the GNA, led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-will-increase-military-support-to-libya-if-necessary-269588">Fayez al-Serraj</a>, one on security and military cooperation and another on maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean.

"Since there is an invitation (from&nbsp;Libya) right now, we will accept it,"&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;told members of his AK Party in a speech. "We will put the bill on&nbsp;sending&nbsp;troops&nbsp;to&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;on the agenda as soon as parliament opens."

The legislation would pass around January&nbsp;8-9, he said, opening the door to deployment.

However, it was unclear what specific invitation&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;was referring to, as the interior minister in the Tripoli-based government, Fathi Bashagha, suggested in comments to reporters in Tunis that no such official&nbsp;request&nbsp;had yet been made.

"If the situation escalates and then we have the right to defend Tripoli and its residents... we will submit an official&nbsp;request&nbsp;to the Turkish government to support us militarily so we expel the ghost of mercenary forces," Bashagha said on Thursday.

For weeks <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-will-seek-accountability-on-khashoggi-no-matter-how-high-it-goes-270052">Ankara</a> has flagged the possibility of a military mission in&nbsp;Libya, which would further stretch its armed forces less than three months after it launched an incursion into northeastern Syria against a Kurdish militia.

Turkey&nbsp;has already sent military supplies to the GNA despite a United Nations arms embargo, according to a UN&nbsp;report seen last month.

The Tripoli government and Haftar's forces were not immediately available for reaction to&nbsp;Erdogan's comments.

Erdogan&nbsp;visited Tunisia on Wednesday to discuss cooperation for a possible ceasefire in neighbouring&nbsp;Libya. On Thursday, he said&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;and Tunisia had agreed to support the GNA.

Moscow has voiced concerns over a possible Turkish <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-parliament-approves-libya-military-deal-269504">military deployment</a> to&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;in support of the GNA.&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;has said&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;will not stay silent over mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked Wagner group supporting Haftar.

"Russia is there with 2,000 Wagner (fighters),"&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;said on Thursday, also referring to some 5,000 fighters from Sudan in&nbsp;Libya. "Is the official government inviting them? No."

"They are all helping a war baron (Haftar), whereas we are accepting an invitation from the legitimate government of the country. That is our difference," he added.

Haftar's eastern-based&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eastern-libyan-force-warns-against-transporting-military-equipment-in-civilian-planes-269619">Libyan National Army</a> has been trying since April to take Tripoli from the GNA, which was set up in 2016 following a U.N.-brokered deal.

Turkish and Russian officials held talks in Moscow this week to seek a compromise on the issues of both&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;and Syria. Russia's Vedomosti said on Thursday the discussions had lasted much longer than the expected three days.

In Syria, Russia is an ally of Syrian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-backed-syrian-forces-gain-ground-in-idlib-269853">President Bashar al-Assad</a> while&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;has backed rebels seeking his ouster during the more than eight-year civil war. The latest talks follow reports that Russian-backed attacks were forcing tens of thousands more Syrians to flee towards&nbsp;Turkey.

Turkey&nbsp;has also been ramping up efforts to strike deals with nations around the Mediterranean, where Ankara has been at loggerheads with Greece over resources off the coast of the divided island of Cyprus.

Turkey will send troops to Libya at the request of Tripoli as soon as next month, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, putting the north African country's conflict at the centre of wider regional frictions.

Turkey will send troops to Libya at the request of Tripoli as soon as next month, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, putting the north African country's conflict at the centre of wider regional frictions. Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has been fending off a months-long offensive by General Khalifa Haftar's forces in eastern Libya, which have been supported by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Last month, Ankara signed two separate accords with the GNA, led by Fayez al-Serraj, one on security and military cooperation and another on maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean. "Since there is an invitation (from Libya) right now, we will accept it," Erdogan told members of his AK Party in a speech. "We will put the bill on sending troops to Libya on the agenda as soon as parliament opens." The legislation would pass around January 8-9, he said, opening the door to deployment. However, it was unclear what specific invitation Erdogan was referring to, as the interior minister in the Tripoli-based government, Fathi Bashagha, suggested in comments to reporters in Tunis that no such official request had yet been made. "If the situation escalates and then we have the right to defend Tripoli and its residents... we will submit an official request to the Turkish government to support us militarily so we expel the ghost of mercenary forces," Bashagha said on Thursday. For weeks Ankara has flagged the possibility of a military mission in Libya, which would further stretch its armed forces less than three months after it launched an incursion into northeastern Syria against a Kurdish militia. Turkey has already sent military supplies to the GNA despite a United Nations arms embargo, according to a UN report seen last month. The Tripoli government and Haftar's forces were not immediately available for reaction to Erdogan's comments. Erdogan visited Tunisia on Wednesday to discuss cooperation for a possible ceasefire in neighbouring Libya. On Thursday, he said Turkey and Tunisia had agreed to support the GNA. Moscow has voiced concerns over a possible Turkish military deployment to Libya in support of the GNA. Erdogan has said Turkey will not stay silent over mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked Wagner group supporting Haftar. "Russia is there with 2,000 Wagner (fighters)," Erdogan said on Thursday, also referring to some 5,000 fighters from Sudan in Libya. "Is the official government inviting them? No." "They are all helping a war baron (Haftar), whereas we are accepting an invitation from the legitimate government of the country. That is our difference," he added. Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army has been trying since April to take Tripoli from the GNA, which was set up in 2016 following a U.N.-brokered deal. Turkish and Russian officials held talks in Moscow this week to seek a compromise on the issues of both Libya and Syria. Russia's Vedomosti said on Thursday the discussions had lasted much longer than the expected three days. In Syria, Russia is an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while Turkey has backed rebels seeking his ouster during the more than eight-year civil war. The latest talks follow reports that Russian-backed attacks were forcing tens of thousands more Syrians to flee towards Turkey. Turkey has also been ramping up efforts to strike deals with nations around the Mediterranean, where Ankara has been at loggerheads with Greece over resources off the coast of the divided island of Cyprus.

Turkey to send troops to Libya at Tripoli's request

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Libya's interior minister survives assassination attempt

WION Dispatch: Libya's Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha survives assassination attempt

Turkey to send troops to Libya at Tripoli's request