In the wake of Tuesday's clashes in Tripoli, the US Embassy in Libya called on politicians to allow Libyans to choose their leaders.

Clashes erupted in Tripoli in the early hours of Tuesday as the parliament-appointed prime minister, Fathi Bashagha, tried to take over power before being forced out by forces affiliated with the UN-backed Government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

"We urge all armed groups to refrain from violence and for political leaders to recognize that seizing or retaining power through violence will only hurt the people of Libya," the embassy tweeted on Tuesday.

Expressing its concern about the new developments, the embassy emphasized that the only viable path to legitimate leadership is by allowing Libyans to choose their leaders.

Representatives of the east-based Parliament backing Bashagha and its rival, the High Council of State, are in Cairo for the second round of talks aimed at reaching a constitutional basis to hold elections.

The embassy said these talks are now more important than ever. "Members of the HoR and HSC gathered there should recognize that the continued lack of a constitutional basis leading to presidential and parliamentary elections in a realistic but aggressive timeframe is depriving Libyans of the stability and prosperity they deserve."