Tripoli, 5 August:
The situation in Mizdah remains tense after . . .[restrict]armed clashes left seven people dead on Saturday night. The fighting was between members of the Mashasha tribe, who suffered six casualties, and the Qantrar, of whom one was killed and one wounded. The conflict was the result of a verbal disagreement that had occurred at the city’s vegetable market on Friday.
Ahmed Abdul Hakeem, a spokesman for the Mshasheya, said that the tribe’s elders had intervened in an attempt to resolve the situation, and that the atmosphere in the city was now one of cautious peace.
Abdul Hakeem urged the transitional government to act fast in bridging the gap between the rival groups and bringing stability to the region, adding that he hoped tribal elders would be able to resolve the dispute.
It was reported yesterday that following an attack on a military base in the town on Friday, residents have been leaving Mizdah, saying they feared further fighting there.
Five people were killed on Friday in the attack. One was a guard, named as Muhamed Ahmed Madani while the other four were from the attackers.
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