Tribal clashes in southern Libya kill 37

BENGHAZI // Dozens have been killed in clashes between two tribes in the biggest city in southern Libya, officials said yesterday as a security vacuum grew in a remote corner of the country. A power struggle between two governments fighting for control in the north of the desert nation has hit the poor south, hampering supplies of everything from fuel and food to central bank money as flights to Tripoli were halted.

Fighters from two tribes, the Tuareg and Tebu, have exploited the security vacuum to vie for control in a vast area long neglected.

Clashes broke out four days ago in a suburb of Sabha, said the city’s mayor, Hamed Rafa Al Khayali.

A Tebu official said the clashes started after a Tebu was killed at a checkpoint. “Around 29 people of the Tuareg tribe were killed and four were wounded in clashes,” said Mr Al Khayali.

Eight people from the Tebu were killed and 18 wounded, said Zahra Adam, an official in the neighbouring town of Al Tayori, which is dominated by the tribe.

Mr Al Khayali said tribal elders tried to negotiate a truce but talks had failed. The city had asked military officials in Tripoli for help to restore order but got no response.

Libya is in chaos with two governments fighting for control while ISIL militants exploit a security gap.

Tripoli is controlled by a government unrecognised by world powers, which took office a year ago after an armed faction forced the official premier to flee to the east.

The Tebu and Tuareg tribes were rivals long before Muammar Qaddafi was toppled in 2011.