January 3, 2012

Tripoli - At least six people died when two groups of former rebel fighters clashed in the centre of Libya's capital Tripoli early Tuesday, Al Arabiya broadcaster reported.

Clashes broke out between fighters under the military council of the transitional government and 'rebel brigades' from outside Tripoli, who are stationed at the former department of military intelligence, according to the Libyan news agency.

Mustafa Noah, head of the security committee in the interior ministry, told dpa that security forces were still determining the causes of the clashes, after rushing to the scene.

At least 14 people were injured in the clashes, Al Arabiya quoted medical sources as saying.

One witness told dpa: 'Misrata rebel fighters wanted to free prisoners held in a court house' affiliated with the country's national transitional council.

One of the key challenges for the country's interim government has been disarming former rebel fighters and attempting to reintegrate them into society or the national security forces.

Many Libyans were given weapons during an eight-months conflict against former leader Moamer Gaddafi, who was captured and killed in October.

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