Libya declare military zone in west to stop bloodshed
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Libyan authorities on Sunday declared warring mountain towns in the west of the country a ‘military zone’ and called for an immediate ceasefire.
"As a result of the violence in the areas of Mizdah, Sheguiga and Zintan which has killed innocent people, the interim government... orders all parties to immediately stop their fire," Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib's office said in a statement.
"To reinforce this, the government has ordered the army chief and the interior ministry to consider the area of clashes a military zone and to use force and all means necessary to stop any shooting against innocent civilians."
The statement was backed by the ruling National Transitional Council and Dar al-Fitna, which represents Libya's highest religious authority.
The interim government called for the opening of safe passages to allow for the evacuation of the wounded and the delivery of humanitarian aid, and it commissioned a fact-finding mission to investigate the roots of the conflict.
The fighting which erupted on Monday has pitted fighters of the Mashashia tribe against gunmen from the Gontrar tribe and the town of Zintan, 170 kilometres from Tripoli, according to official state media and local sources.
Sources in Gheryan, a city near the fighting zones, said that dozens of families streamed in on Saturday seeking shelter from the fighting, while army spokesman Ali al-Sheikhi said the ‘clashes were ongoing’.
Several health ministry officials said the number of casualties was rising although they could not give numbers.
On Wednesday, the interim government said the fighting had claimed 14 lives and left more than 89 wounded.
Several sources say the clashes erupted after a resident of Zintan was killed at a roadblock set up by Mashashia tribesmen.
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