WORLD
Several killed in clashes between Libyan armed groups in Tripoli
Baku, July 23, AZERTAC
At least 13 people have been killed in fighting between armed groups in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, a spokesman for the city’s emergency services said, according to Aljazeera.
Fighters exchanged fire in a central district where several government and international agencies, along with diplomatic missions, are based, and clashes spread to the areas of Ain Zara and Asbaa on Friday.
It was the latest escalation to threaten the relative peace after nearly a decade of civil war in Libya, where two rival sets of authorities are locked in a political stalemate. The divisions have sparked several incidents of violence in Tripoli in recent months.
Tripoli Ambulance and Emergency Services spokesperson Osama Ali said at least 13 people were dead and 27 others were injured as a result of the clashes. A spokesperson for the interior ministry said three of the dead were civilians.
The main sides involved were both affiliated to the Presidency Council, a three-person body acting as transitional head of state. They included the RADA force, an interior ministry spokesperson said.
Fighters from RADA, one of the most powerful forces in Tripoli, were visible around most central areas on Friday morning, while the main Presidency Council building was empty.
The violence first broke out the previous night in the Ain Zara region between units of the Presidential Council’s security force and RADA.
A Presidential Council statement called on both sides to cease hostilities, adding that government and military prosecutors will conduct investigations.