Pro-government forces clash with the Islamist-backed Fajr Libya militia on the outskirts on Tripoli as UN peace talks try to iron out differences

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

At least 21 people have been killed in fighting on the outskirts of the Libyan capital Tripoli, military sources said, as sticking points emerged in talks between the country’s rival parliaments in Morocco.



Pro-government forces clashed with fighters from the Islamist-backed Fajr Libya militia alliance in Tajoura, 30km east of Tripoli, on Friday as the forces of the internationally recognised government launched a new attempt to regain control of the capital.

“Fourteen soldiers, four fighters from Fajr Libya, and three women were killed today in Tajoura,” a pro-government military source told AFP, adding that the women were killed accidentally in rocket fire on a militia camp.

Another 24 people were wounded, he said, without giving a breakdown.

A Fajr Libya spokesman in Tripoli, Mohamad Shami, confirmed the attack but said 32 people were killed.

“Fajr Libya is in full control of Tajoura, and there are minor clashes near a camp called the 101 camp where some of the attackers are still there and Fajr Libya forces are surrounding them,” he added.

A second pro-government military source told AFP that “there are ongoing fierce battles in Tajoura , with the help of our airforce launching air strikes”.

The UN said on Friday it was trying to narrow differences between the rival parliaments over an agreement aimed at forming a unity government to end the unrest.

The differences emerged in written observations by the two sides on the agreement envoy Bernardino Leon is trying to clinch in talks at the Moroccan resort of Skhirat, said Samir Ghattas, spokesman for the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

“We have received the text from the parties on their remarks. There are differences that we are working to narrow,” he said in statement texted to AFP.

The fresh fighting marks a new front as forces loyal to the internationally recognised government try to reenter the capital, under the control of Fajr Libya since August.



The country has had two governments and parliaments since the alliance of Islamist militia seized Tripoli in August and the internationally recognised government fled to the country’s far east.

On March 24, the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) unveiled a six-point plan to end the crisis, including the formation of a transitional unity government until a new constitution is adopted and elections held.

The country has been politically divided since a 2011 revolt that toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi . Armed groups have filled the vacuum as they battle for control of the country’s oil wealth and cities.