New clashes have erupted between rival armed groups south of Libya's capital Tripoli, causing widespread power outages and ending the two-week UN-brokered shaky truce after the death of more than 60 people in battles that erupted end of August.
Despite US and Western warnings to punish violators of the ceasefire, and the announcement of Fayez al-Sarraj’s government of new security measures to prevent further clashes, several areas in Tripoli, especially the international airport road, witnessed on Tuesday battles that broke the ceasefire.
Sarraj, who is Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord, did not comment on the sudden surge of violence, but he chaired a meeting with the members of the security committee for Greater Tripoli to review its tasks.
He stressed the need for the committee to oversee the ceasefire's implementation, said a statement released by his press office.
"We have given instructions to ministries and other institutions to support the committee as it starts executing the security measures," Sarraj told the conferees, adding that the measures will also secure the upcoming elections in Libya.
He said the Presidential Council was not at loggerheads with any Libyan city or social faction. “We only have differences with those hindering the (country’s) democratic path ... and with those terrorizing the people and risking their lives.”
The electricity authority said power was out on Tuesday from Tripoli to Libya's western border with Tunisia, and down to the country's deep south. Engineers were working to resupply the capital.
The authority later announced that power had gradually returned to most of the cities in the western region, adding that it was working to restore the electricity in the southern region.
GNA Interior Minister Abdulsalam Ashour said Tuesday’s clashes took place in the vicinity of the Tripoli Airport Road, adding that regular forces will be redeployed at Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport to ensure its security.
However, military officials indicated that battalions led by Osama al-Juwaili in al-Aziziya were stationed on the outskirts of Tripoli ahead of an operation to enter the area and enforce the ceasefire.
In a statement, the Ministry of the Interior urged citizens to stay away from areas witnessing armed clashes and demanded a halt to the military escalation between the warring sides. It also urged parties to resort to peaceful solutions and dialogue to overcome the crisis.
Local-channel al-Nabaa quoted a source from al-Samoud Brigade, led by warlord Salah Badi, as saying that the brigade's forces are advancing on al-Mattabat road in al-Hadabah, south of Tripoli.
Meanwhile, posters bearing the name and images of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar suddenly emerged in some Tripoli suburbs.
It was the second time in a short period that photographs of Haftar have been hung up since he announced his intention to liberate the city from the grip of armed militias.
