Clashes in Libyan capital, armed group leader killed

Violent clashes between rival armed groups rocked the Libyan capital Tripoli on 12th May. Media reported the death of Abdelghani al-Kikli, leader of the Support and Stability Apparatus, an influential armed group based in south Tripoli.

The interior ministry of the national unity government in Tripoli urged in a statement "all citizens to stay at home for their safety". Libya is struggling to recover from years of unrest following a 2011 revolt that led to the fall of Moamer Kadhafi.

It is currently divided between an UN-recognised government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, controlled by the Haftar family. Despite relative calm in recent years, clashes periodically break out between armed groups vying for territory. Several districts of the capital and its suburbs announced that schools would be closed on Tuesday until further notice. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya called for calm.