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Over 100 Killed in Libyaâ€™s Tribal Clashes

21 June 2012 04:15 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA.Recent week-long tribal clashes in western Libya left 105 people dead and some 500 injured, the BBC has reported, quoting Libyan government spokesman Nasser al-Manaa, APA reports quoting Ria Novosti.

There has been no fighting in the mountainous area since Monday, following the deployment of government troops, the report said. The area includes the towns of Zintan, Mizdah and Shegayga, some 150km (90 miles) to the south of the capital, Tripoli.

The clashes were mainly between fighters from Zintan, backed by another tribe known as the Guntrara from Mizdah, and armed members of the Mashashya tribe based in Shegayga, the BBC said.

Tensions, a result of a land dispute, reportedly date back to the era of Libyaâ€™s leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled in a popular revolt and died after being captured by rebels in October 2011.

The ruling National Transitional Council (NTC), which came to power last year, has been struggling to assert its authority across Libya, where rival militias and tribal groups are jostling for power and resources following Gaddafiâ€™s fall.

Elections for a national assembly initially slated for June 19 have been postponed to July 7 amid continued violence. The countryâ€™s election commission said the delay was due to â€œtechnical and logisticalâ€ issues.