Violent clashes between the two armed groups broke out on Friday and Saturday night in the Libyan capital Tripoli, where there is a serious political crisis, raising fears of a new conflict.
Fighting with the use of heavy and light weapons in several areas of the city took place against the backdrop of political chaos with two rival governments.
According to an AFP journalist, explosions were heard in Tripoli (west) all Friday evening. But no casualties have been reported.
Local media reported that the clashes took place between two powerful armed groups, without adding any details.
In the country’s west, armed groups support Tripoli-based head of government Abdel Hamid Dabaiba, while other groups support rival Prime Minister Fathi Pashaga, who is based in Sirte (central) and considers executive power in the capital “illegal”.
Since his appointment in February by the eastern parliament, Bashaga has unsuccessfully tried to infiltrate Tripoli to establish his authority there.
He recently threatened to use force to do so.
Whether these new fighting was part of an attempt by the former Interior Minister to seize power in Tripoli is not known.
Bashaga is supported by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, a powerful man in eastern Libya whose forces tried to occupy the capital in 2019.
For his part, Dabaiba confirmed that he would transfer power only to an elected government.
