Libya launches anti-crime military operation in west coast

TRIPOLI, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The West Coast Military Zone of the Libyan Defense Ministry said Saturday it launched a large-scale anti-crime military operation in the area.

The first phase of the operation will begin in the city of Zawiya, some 45 km west of the capital Tripoli, it said in a statement.

The statement denied any political objectives behind the operation, stressing it aims to maintain security