TRIPOLI / TUNIS – Clashes erupted in Libya's capital on Tuesday as the parliament-appointed prime minister, Fathi Bashagha, entered Tripoli despite a rival government refusing to cede power, a politician and an armed group commander said.
Bashagha entered Tripoli overnight after two months of stalemate between Libya's rival administrations, but withdrew hours later as fighting rocked the capital, his office said.
The sound of heavy weapons and automatic gunfire crashed across the capital on Tuesday morning, as schools were canceled and the normally heavy rush hour traffic was sparse.
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Bashagha's office had released a statement saying his government would carry out its duties from inside the capital but later said he and accompanying ministers would depart to prevent civilian deaths.
