UN says 'alarmed' by violence in Libya capital

The United Nations expressed deep concern Thursday over rising violence in Libya's capital, warning the clashes risk mass displacement and put civilians in grave danger.

The fighting broke out late Monday, with heavy gunfire and explosions rocking several districts and killing at least six people, according to authorities.

They declared it over within hours, but clashes flared again on Wednesday in key areas, including Tripoli's only port, in what a security source described as "urban warfare".

The guns fell silent on Thursday, but fears of renewed violence linger.

The International Organisation for Migration called for an immediate halt to hostilities to protect civilians in line with international law.

The UN body said it was "alarmed by the recent escalation of violence", highlighting the "severe risk of mass displacement and danger to civilians".

Turkey, a proponent of the Tripoli-based government, said it was evacuating its nationals from the North African country.

Libya has remained deeply divided since the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The country is split between a UN-recognised Tripoli government led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah and a rival administration in the east controlled by the Haftar family.

Tripoli was calm again on Thursday after the clashes between a powerful armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government and rival factions it is trying to dismantle.

Schools, the University of Tripoli and the city's only airport remained closed, AFP reporters said.

Most shops also stayed shut, except for a few in outlying areas that said they were encountering shortages.

The violence was sparked by the killing of Abdelghani al-Kikli, head of the Support and Stability Apparatus (SSA), by the 444 Brigade, a force aligned with Dbeibah. Kikli's group controlled the southern district of Abu Salim.

The second wave of clashes pitted the 444 Brigade against the Radaa force, which controls parts of eastern Tripoli and several key state institutions.

No official casualty figures were released, but the Libyan Red Crescent said it had recovered a body from a main street in Tripoli.