Militia clashes with rival militia over chief's death

           
A heavily armed militia roared into Libya's capital late on Thursday, opening fire in the streets and causing people to run for their lives as they fought over the death of their commander.       

The militia attack comes as part of an unending wave of unrest washing over Libya, two years after the overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi.      

Dozens of militiamen, some riding in pick-up trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns, came from the western city of Misrata to attack a rival militia in Tripoli, witnesses said.        

The clashes forced drivers to abandon their cars in the middle of the road and flee for their lives.            

The heavy gunfire rattled residents, who closed shops earlier and fled their apartments after bullets struck their buildings.            

The fighters belonged to al-Nassour militia group.            

They came to seek revenge for death of a militia commander Nouri Firyaoun earlier in the day, who had been wounded in clashes earlier this week in Tripoli between his group and the Souk al-Joumma, named after the neighbourhood in Tripoli where the fighting happened on Thursday.                 

Authorities in Tripoli could not be immediately reached for comment late on Thursday, though such attacks have become a routine occurrence in the lawless country.          

Police and security forces remain scattered and disorganised, unable to stand up to the heavily armed militias now prowling the country.           


AP