A heavily armed militia has taken over Libya’s main airport in Tripoli.

Gunmen from the al-Awfia brigade have entered the airport with tanks and armoured vehicles and now occupy the runway.

They are refusing to leave until their demands are met, which include the release of a leader who went missing on Sunday

All flights to the airport have been  diverted.

It is unclear whether the commander of the militia was kidnapped or is being held for questioning by the government.