Heavy clashes erupted in Al-Khums, some 120km to the east of Tripoli, early Sunday between the city's military council and a tribal armed group known as Al-Miawal brigade.

The reason of the clashes, which took place near Al-Khums Power Steam Station, is still unclear.

A fuel storage tank in the station was completely set on fire due to the clashes, which could plunge the western region in a lengthy rolling blackout.

The Electricity Company warned in a statement that the station has been shut down; saying the 500MW output of the station was lost.