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Libya’s Tripoli-based Ministry of the Interior yesterday denounced Wednesday’s armed clashes in Tripoli and the closure of some coastal roads
The Ministry of Interior said it was following with great concern the tragic events that took place in the area of Zawiyat Al-Dahmani in Tripoli Wednesday night, following the armed clashes that took place between two security agencies that it said ‘‘do not belong to the Ministry of Interior’’, causing loss of life and property and terrorizing the safe.
The clashes were reportedly between the Support and Stability Agency led by Ghnewa Al-Kikli and the Rada Deterrence Force led by Abdelrauf Kara’a. Three people were reportedly killed.
The Ministry of Interior denounced these clashes, which it admitted ‘‘occur from time to time, which cause panic and fear of citizens and the consequent undermining of the Ministry of Interior’s policy of maintaining security, protection of public life and property.
We denounce all uncivilized manifestations such as the closures of public roads as an expression of a political position or a social dispute because of the harm and disruption to the interests of citizens on the public road.’’
The Interior Ministry was referring to the closure of the coastal road at the Bifi/Bivi (Bevio) junction in Tajura by a group of Tajura militias. They were protesting at the release by Rada of a militia leader wanted for murder in a previous militia clash. Tripoli-based Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba turned up at the points of closure at the end of the day and the road was reopened.
The Interior Ministry called for ‘‘restraint and for the supreme national interest to prevail and the security and stability of the homeland and the citizen.
The Ministry of Interior calls upon citizens who have suffered material damage to go to the police stations to prove these facts, and the Ministry of Interior is continuing its tasks in order to establish the foundations of security.’’
