Rival Libyan Militias Battle In Tripoli

Reports from Libya say a gun battle between rival militia groups erupted in central Tripoli on February 1.

Exchanges of fire were heard and plumes of smoke seen coming from the El-Saadi district.

An Interior Ministry official, Naji Awad, said the fighting was between militiamen from the city of Misurata and a group from Zintan.

The two militia groups fought together to overthrow Libya’s late leader Muammar Qaddafi last year.

The National Transitional Council that now rules Libya has yet to succeed in consolidating its hold over the fractious militias that toppled the old regime.

United Nations officials and human rights groups say they are growing increasingly concerned over the activities of Libyan militias.

Compiled from agency reports