Clashes erupted between Libyan militants in Tripoli

Clashed erupted early Friday between militants related Libya’s National Salvation Government and others loyal to the internationally-recognized National Accordance at Tripoli’s residential Bousleim area. The militant used the heavy weapons, including tanks, leading to the killing of six persons and the injury of 16 others.

Libya’s Red Crescent said that it failed to evacuate the area from the civilians, as a state of panic dominate the residents due to their failure to leave their houses to transfer to other safe areas. The clashed erupted between Deterrence and Rapid Intervention militias related to the National accordance government on one hand and Public Investigation militias related to the National Salvation Government, as they used tanks and missiles.

The National Salvation government led by Mustafa Al Ghoweil has strong relations with the extremist groups working in the Libyan territories, including Qaeda, that work to control the Libyan capital Tripoli. The militants control a military air base “Mitiga” which is considered the only military passage of the Libyan capital since the destruction of International Tripoli Airport in 2014.

The clashes come days after a failure attempt of assassination targeting Libya’s head of Presidential Council Fayez Al Sarraj on Monday during their return from the opening ceremony of the headquarters of “Public Investigations” at Duraibi area.

On the political side, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi received Libyan Head of the State Council Abdel Rahman Al Sowehily on Thursday to discuss the recent developments in the Libyan arena and the international efforts aiming to resolve the Libyan crisis during the coming period. The visit comes upon an invitation from Speaker of Tunisian parliament Mohamed Al Nasser.

The Tunisian president stressed his country’s position from the Libyan crisis which is based on keeping the unity of the country and its territorial integration, expressing his refusal to the foreign interference in the Libyan internal affairs. He stressed his keenness to achieve stability in Libya as a major guarantee to ensure the security of Tunisia and other neighboring states in North Africa region.

The Libyan official, on his hand, expressed his appreciation to the efforts exerted by the Tunisian government to find serious solution for the Libyan crisis. He added that he welcomes the Tunisian initiative to resolve the Libyan crisis through supporting the dialogue between the different Libyan parties.

He stressed, “The Libyans have no choice except peace and dialogue to pave the way for achieving stability in all over the country.”