The Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) said what happened in Tripoli on Saturday was led by the intention of Haythem Al-Tajouri to destabilize the capital and plunge it into a prolonged conflict by preparing logistics and weapons for that end.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for an immediate cessation of violence in Tripoli and urged the Libyan parties to engage in a genuine dialogue to address the ongoing political impasse and not to use force to resolve their differences.
A statement by the Spokesman for the Secretary General, Stéphane Dujarric, has reiterated that Guterres is following with deep concern reports of violent clashes in Tripoli causing civilian casualties and destruction of civilian infrastructure
Tripoli downtown clashes stopped Saturday evening after forces of the Government of National Unity (GNU) had taken control of the last foothold of forces loyal to Fathi Bashagha's government and captured some of their leaders in the Old City area.
The United Kingdom (UK) has called in a tweet posted by the UK embassy in Libya on Saturday for an immediate end to violence in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and condemned any attempts to take or maintain power through force, saying the protection of civilians is paramount.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) said that the clashes in the capital, Tripoli, came after negotiations to spare the capital bloodshed with an initiative that obliges all parties to go to elections at the end of 2022 as a solution to the political crisis.
The GNU indicated in a statement Saturday that the party represented by Fathi Bashagha evaded the initiative at the last moment after seeing positive indications towards a peaceful solution instead of violence and chaos.
Heavy clashes broke out Saturday dawn in downtown Tripoli neighborhoods, leaving deaths and injuries as well as lots of material damage in public and private properties.
A source has told The Libya Observer that the reason of clashes was the fact that a force led by Haitham Al-Tajouri - Brigade 777 positioned in Tripoli center and isn't part of any security or military institution - opened fire on a convoy of a force under the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Al-Zawiya Street.
