Former Libya rebel groups clash in Tripoli, 5 dead

Two former Libyan rebel factions clashed Tuesday in hours of gunbattles in central Tripoli that left five fighters dead, a Tripoli military council official said.         

Former rebels of Tripoli and a separate group of fighters from the city of Misrata fought with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft guns. Col. Walid Shouaib, a member of Tripoli Military Council, said the clashes were triggered by arrest of a Misrata fighter on New Year's Eve by Tripoli fighters. He was suspected of robbery and the Misrata fighters were trying to free him.           

A Misrata military council member, Mohammed al-Gressa, said he feared a civil war. He said a meeting was taking place between commanders of ex-rebels and the Tripoli military council.         

"I am not optimistic because blood has been spilled," he told The Associated Press. "I feel this looks like a civil war."         

Others said the clashes were not that serious.        

Disparate groups of former revolutionary fighters have clashed repeatedly since the end of the eight-month civil war that toppled Moammar Gadhafi's regime in October. Disbandment of these armed groups, which are divided by the regions where the operate, has posed a challenge to Libyan authorities.     

AP