At least one person was killed and six injured when fierce clashes broke out on Saturday in the city of Zawiya in western Libya, prompting calls for a ceasefire to rescue families trapped in the conflict area, a Libyan TV channel said. Ali Ahneesh, head of the Red Crescent branch in Zawiya, told the Istanbul-based Libya Alahrar TV channel that 10 families had been evacuated, and called for “a ceasefire to evacuate families stuck in the areas where the clashes have taken place." Reports of unrest in the city were circulated on the internet with unverified footage of gunmen exchanging fire. Imad Ammar, a member of Zawiya's elders and notables council, said the fighting appeared to involve individuals rather than armed groups. There is calm now, but the security and government authorities must use all their power to end this conflict," said Ammar.

Source: Libya Today May 18, 2024 18:11 UTC