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Rival Libya militias battle in Tripoli | Rival Libya militias battle in Tripoli |
(40 minutes later) | |
Rival Libyan militia groups have fought a gun battle in the capital, Tripoli, officials say. | |
Exchanges of fire were heard and plumes of smoke seen coming from a district known as Tariq Al Shat in central Tripoli, eyewitnesses said. | |
A BBC reporter who drove past the area later said the fighting had ceased. | |
An interior ministry official told Reuters news agency the fighting was between militiamen from the city of Misrata, and a group from Zintan. | An interior ministry official told Reuters news agency the fighting was between militiamen from the city of Misrata, and a group from Zintan. |
The two militia groups fought together to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi last year. | The two militia groups fought together to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi last year. |
Several militias from outside the capital have set up bases in Tripoli and regularly clash as they fight for control of parts of the city. | Several militias from outside the capital have set up bases in Tripoli and regularly clash as they fight for control of parts of the city. |
The country's interim National Transitional Council (NTC) is struggling to reassert its authority. | The country's interim National Transitional Council (NTC) is struggling to reassert its authority. |
The latest clashes took place near the coast, close to the Corinthia Bab al-Africa and Marriott hotels. | |
"Misrata controls a police academy building up the road and they are fighting with Zintan. We do not know why they are fighting," interior ministry Naji Awad told Reuters. |
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