32 dead after violent clashes in Tripoli, UN mission in Libya calls for ceasefire

After a day of violent fighting in the capital city of Tripoli, the UN is calling for an immediate end to the fighting in Libya.

According to the health ministry, at least 32 people were killed and numerous others were injured during the battle.

Libya has been in disarray since Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in a NATO-backed rebellion in 2011. Despite this, the nation enjoyed a period of relative peace in the previous two years.

Armed members of the internationally-recognised government attempted on Saturday to repel a convoy of militia members loyal to Fathi Bashagha, who is competing for power in the country and is recognized as prime minister by a rival, eastern parliament.

There were reports of explosions and small-arms fire in various parts of the capital, with the city filled with rising black smoke.

According to emergency services, several hospitals were affected, with residents of neighborhoods close to the violence having to be evacuated.

A spokesperson for the UN's secretary-general urged Libyan parties to engage in dialogue with each other to tackle the ongoing political impasse while avoiding the use of force to resolve such differences.
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#unitednations #emergencyservices #riots
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VIDEO 1: At least 32 people have been killed and more than 100 injured during intense battles in Tripoli.

It follows a build-up of rival forces over the past week after a dispute about who should govern.

The violence is raising fears that the country could return to a civil war.

Al Jazeera's @Malik Traina has this report from Tripoli, Libya.
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VIDEO 2: Plus de 30 morts à Tripoli après deux jours d'affrontements entre les deux gouvernements rivaux de Libye. [@EURONEWSENGLISH]