Clashes kill 6 in Libya's Tripoli

TRIPOLI - Overnight violent clashes in the Libyan capital Tripoli killed at least six people, an emergency medical service said Tuesday.

"The Recovery Unit at the Emergency Medicine and Support Center has recovered six bodies from the areas of the clashes around the Abu Salim district (southern Tripoli), after the situation stabilized relatively," the Emergency Medicine and Support Center said in a statement.

The Interior Ministry confirmed that the security situation in Tripoli is "safe and stable," and that all the security services are "efficiently performing their duties to maintain security and public order."

Violent clashes erupted on Monday in the Libyan capital Tripoli between rival armed factions, amid reports of the death of Abdul-Ghani al-Kikli, known as Ghaniwa, who headed the Stability Support Department affiliated with the Presidency Council.

The reports about al-Kikli's death coincided with residents of parts of southern Tripoli who confirmed hearing sounds of intense gunfire involving heavy weapons.

Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been plagued by insecurity and political instability.