Fighting in Libya’s Tripoli has led to the death of over 20 people with thousands reportedly fleeing the area.
Eastern Libyan forces have been marching towards the centre of Tripoli on Monday seeking to take control of the city.
Khalifa Haftar of the eastern Libyan National Army (LNA) forces has said that 19 soldiers from the his army have died in recent days of fighting.
The troop belonging to Khalifa Haftar who is a former officer in Muammar Gaddafi’s army wants to topple the internationally recognised government in Tripoli.
The Tripoli based government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj has also reported of 11 deaths. He says his armed groups close to Misrata are blocking the LNA troops.
The United Nations has reported of over 2,800 people displaced by the fighting, requiring help to safety.
Libya has been in turmoil since the overthrow and killing of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country is ruled by factions.
There were plans to hold a peace conference this month towards restoring an electoral process in the country.
The ongoing fighting has cast doubt over this plan by the U.N. There are international calls for an end to the fighting though.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that “We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar’s forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
