2 Libyan Ex-Rebel Groups Clash in Tripoli

Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdurrahim al-Keib. Photo by EPA/BGNES

A violent clash has erupted between two former rebel groups in the Libyan capital Tripoli, witnesses have reported.

The intense gunbattle that lasted for hours on Tuesday was between former rebels of Tripoli and a separate group of fighters from the city of Misrata. It was not immediately clear why the two groups fought.

According to an Al Jazeera reporter, the Misrata fighters apparently had one on their members arrested and subsequently tried to storm the old building of the Interior Ministry in the capital.

The Libyan Defense and Interior Ministries announced that reinforcements were being sent to the area of the violence to try and control the situation.

There was no immediate word on casualties after Tuesday's fighting.

The issue of disarming former rebels who fought Muammar Gaddafi forces in the North African country was described by its interim Prime Minister Abdurrahim al-Keib as a very difficult task.

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