27 killed in days of clashes near Libya capital

At least 27 people have been killed and 100 wounded in several days of fighting between rival militias near the Libyan capital, the health ministry said yesterday.

The clashes broke out on Monday in suburbs south of Tripoli and continued into Wednesday evening.

The clashes came to an end yesterday after a ceasefire agreement announced by officials from western areas, but it was unclear whether the two rival camps would continue to respect it.

The Libyan capital has been at the centre of a battle for influence between armed groups since dictator Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.