Tribal groups clash in Libya’s Az Zawiyah
At least four people killed in clashes between Wershifana tribe and residents of western town, authorities says.
Clashes between members of a western Libyan tribal group and residents in the town of Az Zawiyah have left four dead, Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said.
Violence, including political assassinations, proliferates in the country, with Libya’s new rulers struggling to re-establish order and form a professional police force and army since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
“The clashes between the Wershifana tribe and (people in) the town of Az Zawiyah claimed four lives and left several people wounded and the fighting continues,” Zeidan told the media.
Other sources told AFP news agency that a group of armed Wershifana members attacked a health centre near the town killing two people and kidnapping another person.
The incident then led to the clashes on Thursday night.
Troops have been sent to the area after Nouri Bousahmein, head of Libya’s highest legislative and executive body, the General National Congress, the defence minister and the country’s military leader contacted both sides, said the prime minister.
Zeidan called on those involved in the violence to end the fighting and allow the troops to play their role as a peace-keeping force, noting his regret that people “use weapons so easily … for whatever reason”.
Libya’s new rulers have run into resistance from former rebel fighters who refuse orders to heed the authorities.