Violent clashes erupted between armed groups late Friday/Saturday in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, according to consistent sources. Local media reported that the fighting, which involved heavy and light weapons, broke out in the Jebel area south of the city, amid political chaos and the presence of two rival governments competing for power.
The clashes involved armed groups loyal to Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, the head of the government based in Tripoli, and other groups affiliated with the rival prime minister, Fathi Bashagha, who is temporarily based in Sirte. The confrontations ended following mediation by the "444" Brigade, according to Libyan media. No immediate reports of casualties have emerged.
Libya is experiencing significant division, with two competing governments: the first in Tripoli, formed under a political agreement a year and a half ago, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who refuses to hand over power except to an elected government; and the second, led by Fathi Bashagha, appointed by the Tobruk Parliament in February and granted confidence in March, which has temporarily settled in Sirte after being barred from entering Tripoli.
Dbeibeh's government was assigned the primary task of organizing legislative and presidential elections that were scheduled for last December. However, disagreements between the Libyan political factions, particularly over the electoral law, have led to indefinite postponement of the elections, which the international community had high hopes for to achieve stability in the country.
