By Reuters
The worst fighting in Libya’s capital for years calmed on Wednesday an hour after the government announced a ceasefire, Tripoli residents said, with no immediate statement from authorities on how many people had been killed.
Clashes broke out late on Monday after the killing of a major militia leader. After calming on Tuesday morning, the fighting reignited overnight, with major battles rocking districts across the entire city.
“Regular forces, in coordination with the relevant security authorities, have begun taking the necessary measures to ensure calm, including the deployment of neutral units,” the government’s defence ministry said.
The ministry said the neutral units it was deploying around sensitive sites were from the police force, which does not carry heavy weapons.
The United Nations Libya mission UNSMIL said it was “deeply alarmed by the escalating violence in densely populated neighbourhoods of Tripoli” and urgently called for a ceasefire.
Monday’s clashes
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