Tripoli, May 13, (dpa/GNA) – Calm returned to the Libyan capital on Tuesday after clashes that killed at least seven people, including Abdelghani al-Kikli — widely known as Ghneiwa — the powerful head of the armed group known as the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA).

Violence erupted late Monday following reports of Ghneiwa’s death inside his brigade’s headquarters in Tripoli. Fighting quickly spread across SSA-controlled areas in Tripoli.

The Emergency Medicine and Support Center confirmed Tuesday the recovery of six bodies near Abu Salim Street. By morning, the Ministry of Defence announced it had regained full control over the area.

Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbeibeh, who leads the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, called the operation a move to dismantle “irregular groups” and restore state authority.

Tensions had been simmering since SSA forces stormed Libya’s state telecom company last week and detained its chairman — an act that further strained relations between the SSA and the Dbeibeh administration.

The SSA was established in 2021 under the then-Government of National Accord to bolster state security but has increasingly acted as a power broker in its own right.

Libya has remained fractured since the 2011 overthrow of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi, with rival governments and militias vying for influence. While Dbeibeh governs from Tripoli in the west, the eastern-based administration is led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad and backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.

GNA

PDC