Deadly clashes between supporters of Libya’s rival governments have left no fewer than 32 people dead, the health ministry confirmed Sunday in a new toll, after a fierce battle that sparked fears of major new conflict.
Africa Today News, New York gathered that armed groups had exchanged gunfire that left several hospitals damaged while settings several buildings on fire.
Many analysts have pointed out that this is the worst fighting in the Libyan capital since a landmark 2020 ceasefire.
The fighting came after months of mounting tensions between backers of Abdulhamid Dbeibah and Fathi Bashagha, whose rival administrations are vying for control of the North African country which has seen more than a decade of violence since a 2011 uprising.
Read Also: UN Demands Immediate End To Deadly Battle In Libya
Dbeibah’s administration, installed in the capital as part of a United Nations-led peace process after the end of the last major battle in 2020, has so far prevented Bashagha from taking office there, arguing that the next administration should be the product of elections.
Bashagha was appointed by Libya’s eastern-based parliament earlier this year and is backed by powerful eastern military chief Khalifa Haftar, whose 2019 attempt to seize the capital by force turned into a year-long civil war.
Bashagha, a former interior minister, had initially ruled out the use of violence to take power in Tripoli but had since hinted that he could resort to force.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 overthrow and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a Western-backed uprising, with myriad armed groups and foreign powers moving to fill the power vacuum.
Certain armed groups seen as neutral in the latest crisis had moved to back Dbeibah this weekend to push back Bashagha’s second attempt to enter the capital.
Both sides exchanged blame on Saturday while world powers appealed for calm.