Twenty-seven people have been killed and more are feared dead in clashes between militias in Libya's capital that trapped residents in their homes on Tuesday, according to reports.
More than 100 people were injured in the fighting in Tripoli, Libya's Emergency Medicine and Support Centre, a medical body that responds to humanitarian disasters and wars, said.
It was unclear how many of the dead were militiamen or civilians. The Red Crescent did not respond to a request for comment.
The clashes erupted late on Monday between militiamen from the 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Force, according to local media reports.
Tensions flared after Mahmoud Hamza, a senior commander of the brigade, was allegedly detained by the rival group at an airport in Tripoli, the reports said.
Throughout the fighting on Tuesday, the Health Ministry urged the warring sides to allow ambulance and emergency teams to enter the affected areas, primarily in the south of the city, and for blood to be sent to nearby hospitals.
The fighting was the fiercest seen in the capital this year. Inbound flights were diverted to the nearby city of Misurata, Opsgroup, an organisation for the aviation industry, said.
The escalation follows months of relative peace after nearly a decade of civil war in Libya, where two rival authorities are locked in a political stalemate.
Long-standing divisions have sparked several incidents of violence in Tripoli in recent years, although most of them ended in a matter of hours.
Libya’s rival administrations condemned the fighting in separate statements on Tuesday. The House of Representatives, which is based in the eastern city of Benghazi, blamed the Tripoli-based government for the violence.
In a statement, the UN mission in Libya said it was following with concern “the security incidents and developments” and called for an immediate end to the clashes.
The UAE also expressed its concern and called on all parties to cease hostilities and resolve disputes through dialogue.
In a statement, Minister of State Khalifa Al Marar reaffirmed the UAE’s support for efforts to strengthen security, stability and unity in Libya under internationally mediated agreements, leading to the holding of elections.
The US called for an “immediate de-escalation in order to sustain recent Libyan gains towards stability and elections,” the American embassy said.
Since 2014, Libya has been divided between rival administrations in the east and the West, each supported by an array of well-armed militias and different foreign governments.
The oil-rich North African nation has been in a state of upheaval since a 2011 Nato-backed uprising toppled and later killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Ali Kashief, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdelrahman, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Mohmmed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammad Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Eisa, Mohammed Shakir, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Adel Al Hosani, Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah), Waleed Abbas, Ismail Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai) Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Mahrami (Baniyas)
