Libyan capital sees renewed clashes

Smoke rises after warlord Khalifa Haftar’s forces launched an attack on a port near the Martyrs' Square, where celebration events marking the 9th anniversary of February 17 revolution are held, in eastern Tripoli, Libya on 18 February 2020. [Aydoğan Kalabalık - Anadolu Agency]

Smoke rises after Khalifa Haftar’s forces launched an attack on a port near the Martyrs’ Square

Clashes renewed in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Wednesday between UN-recognized government forces and commander Khalifa army.

The violence erupted in Ramla axis in southern Tripoli when the Government of National Accord (GNA) began to reinforce their forces in the area, a spokesman for the GNA forces said.He said clashes were still raging on in the area. No information was yet available about casualties.

Since the ouster of late Leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: Haftar in eastern Libya, supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and the GNA in Tripoli, which enjoys Turkish Ordogan, Qatar and Queda support.

On Tuesday, the EU and several Arab countries called on both sides in the Libyan conflict to declare an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to curb the threat of the coronavirus.

Worldwide, out of over 199,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 7,900, while more than 82,500 patients have recovered, according to Worldometer, a website that compiles new case numbers.

The number of active cases is more than 108,000 — 94% mild and 6% in critical condition, according to the website.

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