Fighting broke out in the Libyan capital early on Friday between rival armed forces, the heaviest clash in Tripoli since a ceasefire was agreed upon last year, and conflict between the eastern and western factions paused.
Shooting began in Tripoli at about 2.30 a.m. and continued through the morning with medium and light weapons, according to witness statements reported by Reuters.
Other incidents of violence were reported over the past few months, in both Western and Eastern Libya.
Libya has known conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew longtime head of state Muammar Gaddafi, and it divided in 2014 between warring eastern and western factions.
A ceasefire was agreed upon last year and a new unity government that both sides backed was installed in March to prepare for national elections in December, moves seen as the best chance for peace in years.
The recent incidents of violence and shootings would further undermine the prospect of December elections as part of a plan to end a decade of chaos, violence, and division.
Friction between political factions has hindered the interim government’s ability to unify state institutions or prepare for elections.
The United Nations Libya mission called for an immediate halt in the fighting, saying it had “grave concern”.
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