Two killed in Libya clashes

CONCERNS over the huge amount of freely available weapons in post-war Libya rose yesterday after two people were killed following a dispute between rival militias near Tripoli.

The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between former fighters since they brought down Muammar al-Gaddafi’s regime last month following the eight-month civil war.

Libya’s interim prime minister, Abdurrahim el-Keib, has said it would be difficult to disarm the fighters before they can be offered alternatives to militia membership, such as training or jobs in security services that have yet to be established. However, public anger against the former revolutionaries has been rising.

Friday’s violence erupted after Zawiya fighters seized weapons from a man in Warshefana. In retaliation, Warshefana fighters set up a roadblock on the road, pulling people out of their cars, and firing at random. Two civilians were killed by the gunfire.