On Friday, the British Embassy in Libya expressed its grave concerns regarding the armed clashes that erupted in the Libyan capital Tripoli.
The Embassy said in a statement that the United Kingdom (UK) strongly condemns the recent violence in Tripoli and calls for a calm return to political dialogue. It stressed the urgent need for Libya’s leaders to put aside their differences and agree a basis for elections.
The clashes were renewed in the Libyan capital today between the largest militias in Tripoli. Militias have used medium and heavy weapons during the clashes. As a result, the Maitiga international Airport was closed for fear of shells and missiles falling inside it.
According to the Spokesperson for the Ambulance and Emergency Services, Osama Ali, at least 13 people were killed and other 30 were injured during the clashes.
Media sources reported that the reason for the clashes between the two rival factions is the arrest of a member of the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, led by Ayoub Abu Rass, from the RADA Special Deterrence Forces. Pages on social media circulated video clips in which the sound of gunfire was heard. It was said that they were part of the clashes near Al-Furnaj Island.
The American Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, called for the warring parties in to exercise restraint and preserve stability for the protection of civilians.
Norland stressed that all actors must resolve their disputes through dialogue, not violence. He added that he supports the calls of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for all parties to maintain peaceful and ensure stability.
UNSMIL said it received reports of civilian casualties as a result of clashes between two armed groups in Tripoli last night.
“UNSMIL is deeply concerned about these developments and calls for an investigation into the incident and justice for the victims and their families. Any action that endangers the lives of civilians is unacceptable,” the mission said in a statement on Friday.
UNSMIL called on all Libyans to do everything possible to preserve the country’s fragile stability at this sensitive time.
“All actors must exercise maximum restraint, address their disputes through dialogue and abide by their obligations under national and international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure,” it concluded.