A fresh gunfight in the Libyan capital underscores the need to rein in militia groups and secure weaponry.
Clashes between duelling groups of Libyan revolutionaries on Tuesday (January 3rd) left at least four people dead on a Tripoli street.
Misrata-based revolutionaries, or "thwars", exchanged gunfire with fighters from Tripoli, close to the Kadhafi regime intelligence headquarters used by al-Khawildi al-Hamidi and Abdullah Senussi.
The gunfight began when a local militia on al-Zawiya Street arrested an allegedly drunk fighter from the Misrata Defence Brigade after New Year's celebrations.
The sound of gunfire could be heard in the heart of Tripoli, not far from the scene of clash. One shell fired by the Misrata revolutionaries shortly after Asr prayers injured 16-year-old Mohamed Nasr al-Fituri. Rashid Abbaza from the al-Zawiya Street fighters was among those killed. At least eight others were wounded, including two critically.
Tripoli revolutionaries surrounded the scene of the incident, formed checkpoints and prevented vehicles and pedestrians from entering the street out of fear for their safety. Meanwhile, Misrata revolutionaries left the area.
Al-Zawiya Street revolutionaries said they arrested four or five Misrata fighters and that they fired a shell that hit a vehicle belonging to the Misrata revolutionaries. As a result, vehicles could be seen in the capital mounting 14.5mm machine guns again in preparation for any confrontations.
"The killers were arrested and they will be brought to justice," said Abdul Hakim Belhaj, head of the Tripoli Military Council. "We hope that this incident won't be repeated. It's the result of partial differences between revolutionaries. However, we were able to intervene on time, the revolutionaries have reached an understanding and things are quiet now. The relatives of the killed people will be contacted, and we'll try to calm everyone and mend fences."
Speaking at a joint press conference with Misrata's Mohamed Shabon, Belhadj noted that no further clashes took place in the capital and that any reports were just rumours.
In his turn, Shabon said that no vehicles or weapons were on the move from Misrata, as all such assets were under command of Misrata military council.
Following the unrest, the Tripoli civil committee held a meeting at Moulay Mohammed Mosque near the Central Hospital, not far from the scene of clashes. An agreement was reached under which all brigades, especially those that were behind the incident, would leave Tripoli and the killers would be handed over to justice. It was also decided to surround the three main access routes to Tripoli to prevent the entry of any weapons.
The clash occurred the same day that National Transitional Council (NTC) chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil named Youssef al-Mangoush as head of the Libyan army.
Al-Mangoush, a native of Misrata, previously served as deputy defence minister under Osama al-Juwali, who hails from Zintan. Both cities control strong factions of former revolutionaries. The appointment has raised hopes among some that fighters could be integrated into a national army to improve stability and secure weapons.
© Magharebia.com 2012
