TRIPOLI: The worst fighting in Libya`s capital for years calmed on Wednesday after the government announced a ceasefire, Tripoli residents said, while there was no immediate statement from authorities on how many people had been killed.

Clashes broke out late on Monday after the killing of a major militia leader. After calming on Tuesday morning, the fighting reignited overnight, with major battles rocking districts across the entire city. `Regular forces, in coordination with the relevant security authorities, have begun taking the necessary measures to ensure calm, including the deployment of neutral units,` the defence ministry said.The ministry said the neutral units it was deploying around sensitive sites were from the police force, which does not carry heavy weapons.

After the fighting, burned-out cars littered the streets in some areas, and nearby buildings were pocke d with bullet marks.

Monday`s clashes had appeared to consolidate the power of Abdulhamid alDbeibah, prime minister of the divided country`s Government of National Unity (GNU) and an ally of Turkiye.

However, any prolonged fighting within Tripoli risks drawing in factions from outside the capital, potentially leading to a wider escalation between Libya`s many armed players after years of relative calm.-Reuters