Calm returns to Libyan capital after militia fighting kills 32

Tripoliug 28, (dpa/GNA) – The Libyan capital Tripoli, was calm on Sunday, after fighting between rival armed factions, left 32 people dead, the Health Ministry said.

At least 159 others were injured in the fighting, the second time clashes have been seen in a month in the city, amid a deepening political standoff in oil-rich Libya.

The latest bout of violence erupted Friday, in the centre of Tripoli between two militias loyal to the rival governments in the country, and raged on for hours on Saturday.

Online videos showed several public and private buildings, as well as dozens of cars damaged, as a result of the clashes.

An ambulance was also destroyed and another damaged, the city’s medical centre said.

On Sunday, Libyan media carried footage of clean-up works on Tripoli streets. Roads reopened which had been closed earlier, due to the violence.

Libya has been in turmoil, since the overthrow of dictator Moamer Gaddafi in 2011.

Two governments are currently vying for power in the North African country.

Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, is seated in Tripoli. The government of former interior minister Fathi Bashagha however, claims power for itself, having been appointed by the parliament based in the country’s east.

Dbeibeh has repeatedly vowed he would only hand over power to an elected administration.

Libya’s long-awaited election, which was originally due in December last year, was postponed amid political wrangling, with no new date set for the vote.
GNA