Hassan Al-Werfalli (Benghazi, Cairo)
Violent clashes with heavy weapons erupted yesterday between rival armed brigades inside the Libyan capital, Tripoli, near official state headquarters.
The clashes took place between the “301 Brigades” from the city of Misurata, which is affiliated with “Abdul Salam Zubi”, and the battalions from the city of Zawiya led by “Mohamed Al-Bahroun”, nicknamed “Al-Far”, and extended from the vicinity of the “Gypsum Gate” to the airport road and the General Electricity Company south of West of the capital, Tripoli, amid expectations of its expansion to other neighborhoods.
Both sides used heavy and medium weapons in the confrontations, as local sources indicated on Al-Zawiya Street near the clashes, to the transfer of dead bodies of the “Directorate Support Force” elements that had previously been stationed on the airport road after the “Far Brigades” were expelled from it.
Activists monitored military reinforcements heading from the city of Misurata to Tripoli, while activists talked about closing a number of roads and forcing pedestrians to return to their homes.
In light of the intense confrontations, many distressed families came out for help, while mechanisms bearing the slogan “111 Brigades” were spotted heading to the site of the clashes, while gunmen closed the road to and from the “gypsum gate,” according to the sources.
It is believed that this fighting erupted as a reaction from the “Far Brigades” after it was expelled a few days ago from its positions in the vicinity of the airport, and a number of its members were killed by the “Directorate Support Brigades.”
The General Staff of the Government of National Unity plans to form large military brigades to absorb irregular elements and be able to curb any armed formation or unruly elements trying to tamper with the security and stability of the western region.
Politically, the US ambassador and envoy to Libya, Richard Norland, affirmed his country’s support for a political solution with Abdullah Batili assuming his position as a special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General.
Norland’s comments came following his meeting in New York with the President of the Presidential Council, Muhammad Al-Minfi, where he is participating in the meetings of the United Nations General Assembly.
“The United States is working closely with partners, the diplomatic community, and Libyan visitors present in New York to try to restore momentum to the Libyan electoral process,” Norland said, in a recorded recording published by the US State Department’s Twitter account, noting that all parties realize the importance of working quickly to reach the elections in light of The current violence in Libya.