Violence rages as new govt. sails to Libya

Libya hunkers down in fear as clashes erupt after the head of a UN-backed government arrives in the capital by sea to set up a temporary seat of power in a naval base.

According to Press TV, Fayez Seraj, the new government's Prime Minister, arrived Wednesday from Tunisia at Tripoli's Abusita naval base amid threats from competing factions, which prevented him from arriving by air.

Western nations are promoting the new regime as the best hope for ending Libya's chaos but those dreams were dealt a blow as clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of the new government hours after its arrival.

Gunmen stormed the headquarters of a television station, cutting its transmissions and forcing out its staff, as the authorities in control of Tripoli demanded Seraj's departure.

The channel is close to the self-declared government in control of Tripoli, which had demanded that Seraj leave the capital or "hand himself in."

“Those who entered illegally and secretly must surrender or turn back,” Khalifa Ghweil, the Head of the administration, said in a televised address.

“We won’t leave Tripoli as long as we are not sure of the fate of our homeland,” he said.

Tripoli's government had declared a state of emergency ahead of Seraj's anticipated arrival, and several main highways were blocked late Wednesday by armed groups.

Hours after he landed, shops and restaurants closed, and cars lined up outside petrol stations. Opposing militias set up checkpoints in downtown Tripoli, stopping cars and searching drivers.

ME