Violent clashes between rival armed groups rocked the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Monday night, with media reporting that the leader of an armed faction was killed.
AFP reporters heard heavy arms fire and explosions in several areas of the capital from 9:00 pm (19:00 GMT), and authorities urged residents to stay indoors.
Libyan television channel Al-Ahrar and news site Al-Wasat reported the death of Abdelghani al-Kikli, leader of the Support and Stability Apparatus, an influential armed group based in south Tripoli.
The interior ministry of the national unity government in Tripoli urged in a statement “all citizens to stay at home for their safety.”
Local media said clashes broke out in the southern suburbs between armed groups from Tripoli and rivals from Misrata, a major port city 200 kilometers (125 miles) east of the capital.
Libya is struggling to recover from years of unrest following a 2011 revolt that led to the fall of the late dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
It is currently divided between a UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, controlled by the Haftar family.
Despite relative calm in recent years, clashes periodically break out between armed groups vying for territory.