Libya infighting undermines election prospects

Fighting has broken out in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, between fighters backing the National Unity Government and others supporting the presidential council.

It is a sign that there are still divisions as the country inches towards elections scheduled for December.

The presidential council is in place until a new president is voted in and is supposed to be in command of the armed forces.

December’s vote is aimed at ending more than a decade of violence and chaos in the country, which has seen rival governments and a plethora of militia groups battling each other.

Friday’s exchange of fire is believed to have started when fighters backing the presidential council attempted to take control of a military camp south of Tripoli.

by Ahmed Rouaba