In the far-western Libya, armed confrontations erupted on Saturday between rival factions, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries, according to official sources and local news reports.
The Prime Minister of Libya’a Government-designate, Osama Hammad, urgently called for an immediate ceasefire in Zawiya, located west of the capital, Tripoli.
On his “X” account (formerly Twitter), Hammad expressed deep regret and concern over the violent clashes involving heavy and medium weaponry that have led to loss of life and injuries.
“It is with great sorrow and concern that we follow the ongoing armed clashes between our brothers and people in the city of Zawiya, which have resulted in several deaths and injuries,” he stated.
Hammad appealed for divine intervention to spare Libyan lives on all sides and urged all parties to immediately cease fire, prioritize reason, and seek resolution through official state security and judicial institutions.
He also called on tribal elders and wise men to swiftly intervene and work towards calming the situation, to protect lives and both public and private property.
The Libyan Red Crescent implored the conflicting parties in the Harsha area to halt hostilities and establish a safe corridor to facilitate the evacuation of families trapped in the clash zones.
Zawiya has experienced disturbances before, with numerous competing armed groups present, reflecting the inability of official authorities to control the situation.
Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has been plagued by conflicts and divisions, governed by two rival administrations: the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, and another in the east.
This internal power struggle extends within each faction and among various armed groups with differing loyalties.
