Violent Clashes Continue in Libya near Tripoli; Maduro Supporters Rally after Latest U.S. sanctions
HOWELL: Welcome back. In Libya, clashes between competing factions have reportedly intensified near the capital city in Tripoli even as global powers urge restraint there.</s>ALLEN: We're getting reports that the U.N.-backed government has launched airstrikes on rival forces led by the renegade general Khalifa Haftar. The U.N.-supported prime minister says he's pushing back against a coup.</s>FAYEZ AL-SARRAJ, U.N.-BACKED LIBYAN PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We've extended our hand to peace but the attack that took place from the forces of Haftar and his declaration of war on cities and our capital and --</s>AL-SARRAJ (through translator): -- his declaration of coup d'etat to the presidential council will be met with strength and power.</s>HOWELL: Despite the recent fighting, the U.N.'s Libyan envoy says a national peace conference will go ahead as planned later this month.</s>ALLEN: Let's get the latest now from Salma Abdelaziz. She's been following these developments. She joins me live from London with more. It looks like it's getting worse before it gets better there in Libya. What's the latest?</s>SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN PRODUCER: That's right. We are seeing, of course, reports of more clashes, more intensification between these two fighting factions on the outskirts of the city. There are claims and counterclaims on Haftar's side they're saying they're making gains in the south when it comes to the recognized government. They say it's difficult to get a clear picture of what's happening on the ground. What is clear is all these calls by the international community to slow down, to de-escalate these tensions, are simply not working. We're seeing the opposite on the ground. Haftar has been talking for two years about wanting to take Tripoli. When this first happened a few days ago, people were wondering if he was simply just posturing, grandstanding. But as time goes on, it becomes clear this is a very real and very dangerous attempt, Natalie.</s>ALLEN: Yes. And help us understand the support that he has, those who are standing with him in this push.</s>ABDELAZIZ: That's right. To kind of look at this more holistically, you can see the general has been preparing for years, if you will, to try to take this. That's what analysts will tell you. In the last few years he's consolidated power in the east. He's bought the loyalty of various militias. He's come out as a strongman and, most importantly, he has courted support from other countries -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia, even France at times. He is a U.S. citizen. He can speak their language, if you will, in a way. And he's been able to convince many people abroad outside Libya that he is the one who's going to be fighting terrorism, fighting a wave of extremist Islam in the country. And this is the result of two years of that consolidation of power. We're seeing that now happening and playing out on the ground as he makes the ultimate play for the control of the entire country, Natalie.</s>ALLEN: And of course, it's unfortunate for the citizens there of Libya, who've lived amid chaos since Gadhafi was deposed and killed many years ago. We'll continue to follow. Thank you.</s>HOWELL: In Sudan, anti-government protesters are calling for the president of that country to step down after three decades of power. Opposition activists say that Omar al-Bashir is guilty of war crimes. Demonstrators reached the presidential compound Saturday and are camped out to make their demands. Meantime, the government is cracking down on the demonstrations. State media reports that a man died during Saturday's protests. But pro-democracy groups say dozens of people have died since the protests started.</s>ALLEN: Now we turn to Venezuela. The embattled president there renewing calls for dialogue with his opposition. Nicolas Maduro called on regional leaders to broker the talks, saying he's expressing political maturity.</s>HOWELL: His comments follow another weekend of dueling rallies. Our David McKenzie has the details from Caracas.</s>DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There were dueling rallies in different parts of Caracas on Saturday. The opposition leader, Juan Guaido, calling on thousands of people to continue their momentum to get rid of Maduro and his regime. Juan Guaido called for public sector protests on Monday and for people to continue getting out on the streets to get their voices heard. He says the momentum is with them.</s>JUAN GUAIDO, INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA (through translator): This regime already lost. This regime is already defeated. Victory is ours. But it will only be complete, it will only be fair when we have achieved not only the cessations of the usurpation but when we have achieved what matters to our people, the entry of humanitarian aid.</s>MCKENZIE: But there was also a large contingent of pro-regime supporters in the center of the city. They were bused in, many of them, given food and water. But there is passion with their supporters. Maduro has refused to vacate his position. A senior administration official in the U.S. saying all options are still on the table for Venezuela, including the military one. They have increased sanctions on Venezuela. The latest sanctions are hitting Venezuelan oil vessels that travel from here to Cuba, according to the U.S. --</s>MCKENZIE: -- government. But here on the streets, opposition members are telling me that they are getting ready for a long, drawn- out fight to get Maduro out -- David McKenzie, CNN, Caracas, Venezuela.</s>HOWELL: A grim anniversary: 25 years ago, Rwanda endured one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.</s>ALLEN: And the nation is now coming together to remember the genocide of 1994 when Hutu extremists targeted ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus in a deadly rampage; 800,000 people were killed, most of them hacked to death in just 100 days. Rwandans and international leaders will take part today in a wreath laying, a march, the lighting of a flame and vigil. As the world remembers the horrific killing, survivors of the genocide have been sharing their stories.</s>HOWELL: One man says that he found peace after marrying the daughter of the man who killed his family. Here's the couple reflecting on their remarkable story.</s>JOHN GIRANEZA, SURVIVOR (through translator): I prayed for a wife to come and help me, because I was crippled. But the woman I found was the woman whose father had killed my family. I approached her but didn't know whether she would accept me.</s>MAILEJANNE UWIMANA, SURVIVOR (through translator): When we got married, everyone was angry at us. Both our families would not speak to us but they would come to check if I was alive. They wanted to see if I was fine.</s>ALLEN: Next hour, I'll interview a survivor of the genocide, who travels the world now, talking about forgiveness. She's got quite the remarkable story. Stay with us for that.</s>HOWELL: Absolutely. Still ahead here, U.S. authorities say they've arrested a man for threatening to kill a Muslim lawmaker. What the suspect allegedly told Ilhan Omar's office -- ahead for you.</s>ALLEN: Plus three churches consumed by fire under what officials call suspicious circumstances. We'll explain more on CNN NEWSROOM.