'Menfi gave instructions from last night to the Deterrence Forces to hand over the 444 Brigade commander Mahmoud Hamza to the chief of staff of the army in Tripoli, and to stop any clashes or provocations by all parties immediately,' Wheba said, adding that 'the efforts to hand over Hamza were achieved only this afternoon after the participation of dignitaries and social leaders of Souq Al-Juma neighborhood.' However, Najwa Wheba, the spokesperson of the Presidential Council of Libya, affirmed to VOA that Mohamed Menfi, the chairman of the presidential body, presented an initiative to defuse the situation, ultimately resulting in a successful mediation effort that led to the cessation of the confrontation. Mediation EffortsĮfforts by locals and government officials to mediate a cease-fire faltered several times on Monday, according to local media.

The ministry urged the warring sides to allow ambulance and emergency teams to enter the affected areas, primarily in the south of the city, and for blood to be sent to nearby hospitals. It remains unclear how many casualties there are, but according to Libya's health ministry, the clashes in the capital have left residents trapped in their homes and unable to escape the violence.

The clashes between the 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Forces, known as RADA, erupted soon after it was announced that the latter had arrested Mahmoud Hamza, the leader of the 444 Brigade, without explaining whether this was on judicial orders or for other reasons.įootage circulating on social media showed a military confrontation between the two militias with live ammunition, tanks and heavy arterially since Monday.

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