03:10Libya: 'Destruction is all around' - Tripoli residents demand security following deadly clashes between rival govt supporters
Tripoli's residents called for increased security in the city on Sunday, after heavy clashes between rival government supporters the previous day saw the death toll rise to 32, with 159 wounded, according to the country’s health ministry.
"It has been a really tough day for all Tripoli, and hopefully it won't happen again. People want to feel safe with a functional army and police forces so that the chaos stops, that is the people's demand," said one resident. "As you can see, the destruction is all around, and several houses and cars have been burnt out.
Footage shows the damage to cars and buildings on the capital’s streets, as locals assessed the damage.
"At around 1 am (23:00 GMT Friday) we heard explosions and gunshots which were increasingly getting farther, then the militiamen gathered under our building. We were trapped and could not get out, and this was not the first time we experience this situation," another resident recalled.
The clashes broke out between groups supporting Abdel Hamid Dabaiba's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and supporters of former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, backed by the parliament’s House of Representatives in Tobruk.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya said it was 'deeply concerned' and called for an 'immediate cessation of hostilities'.
According to the country's health ministry, around 65 families had to be evacuated.
03:10Tripoli's residents called for increased security in the city on Sunday, after heavy clashes between rival government supporters the previous day saw the death toll rise to 32, with 159 wounded, according to the country’s health ministry.
"It has been a really tough day for all Tripoli, and hopefully it won't happen again. People want to feel safe with a functional army and police forces so that the chaos stops, that is the people's demand," said one resident. "As you can see, the destruction is all around, and several houses and cars have been burnt out.
Footage shows the damage to cars and buildings on the capital’s streets, as locals assessed the damage.
"At around 1 am (23:00 GMT Friday) we heard explosions and gunshots which were increasingly getting farther, then the militiamen gathered under our building. We were trapped and could not get out, and this was not the first time we experience this situation," another resident recalled.
The clashes broke out between groups supporting Abdel Hamid Dabaiba's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and supporters of former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, backed by the parliament’s House of Representatives in Tobruk.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya said it was 'deeply concerned' and called for an 'immediate cessation of hostilities'.
According to the country's health ministry, around 65 families had to be evacuated.