1ST LEAD Death toll in clashes east of Libyan capital rises to 20 By Ashraf Azabi, dpa

Tripoli (dpa) - The death toll from clashes that erupted near the only functioning airport near the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has risen to 20, a Health Ministry official said late Monday.Tarek al- Hamshari, a ministry official quoted on its Facebook page, also said that the number of wounded rose to 63.Earlier, the ministry had reported nine people killed in the clashes.A militia at Mitiga International Airport that is affiliated with the government in Tripoli said it was attacked by an opposing group. The attackers also targeted a nearby prison holding more than 2,500 inmates.A source at the airport, who spoke to dpa on condition of anonymity, said flights have been suspended since the fighting, sometimes with heavy artillery, began early Monday.Mitiga airport, located around 10 kilometres east of Tripoli, has been the only operating one near the capital.Tripoli is host to the UN-backed National Accord Government, which remains at loggerheads with the internationally recognized parliament convened in the eastern part of Libya.The oil-rich country has been awash with armed militias and weapons since the toppling of long-time dictator Moamer Gaddafi in 2011.