(18 Nov 2011) HEADLINE: Raw Video: Rival militias clash in Libya
CAPTION: Rival militias clashed near Tripoli for a fourth day on Sunday in the most sustained violence since the capture and killing of Moammar Gadhafi last month. The fighting has killed at least 13 people since last week. (Nov. 13)
[Location - Date:NEAR TRIPOLI, LIBYA -- AP TELEVISION -- NOV. 13]
STORYLINE:
Rival militias clashed on the outskirts of Libya's capital Tripoli for a fourth day on Sunday in the most sustained violence since the capture and killing of Moammar Gadhafi last month.
The fighting, which has killed at least 13 people since late last week, raised new concerns about the ability of Libya's transitional government to disarm thousands of fighters and restore order after an eight-month civil war.
Libya's interim leader, Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, said Sunday that his National Transitional Council (NTC) brought together elders from the feuding areas - the coastal city of Zawiya and the nearby tribal lands of Warshefana - over the weekend and that the dispute has been resolved.
However heavy gunfire and explosions of rocket-propelled grenades were heard Sunday in the area between the Warshefana lands, about 18 miles (30 kilometres) west of Tripoli, and Zawiya, another 10 miles (15 kilometres) to the west.
AP Television filmed members of a third militia group on Sunday as they stepped in to try and keep the peace in the area.
In all, at least 13 people were killed in the fighting, including four from Zawiya and nine from Warshefana, according to gunmen and a hospital doctor in Warshefana.
More than 100 people from Warshefana were wounded since Saturday, said Dr. Mohammed Sawan, adding that casualties stemmed from gunshots as well as shrapnel from rockets and mortar shells.
The reason for the initial clash remains unclear, though accusations have been flying, including that some of the Warshefana had links to the old regime.
Since the October 20 death of Gadhafi, there have been a number of violent clashes between fighters, including a deadly shootout at a Tripoli hospital.
Residents of the capital have also become increasingly annoyed with fighters from other areas of Libya who have taken over prime locations in the city, including a gated seaside resort village.
Despite the growing tensions, Abdul-Jalil and other NTC leaders have said they cannot disarm the fighters quickly.
Noting high unemployment among the armed men, Abdul-Jalil said the new government must offer alternatives first, including jobs, study and training.
APTN STORY NUMBER: 714485
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
