Tripoli, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes broke out overnight Friday to early Saturday in the western Libyan city of Zawiya between forces affiliated with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, local media reported, resulting in a shift of control between rival armed factions aligned with the UN-backed government.
The television channel Libya Al-Ahrar and several Libyan newspapers, including Al-Mashhad, reported that forces from the Stability Support Apparatus, an armed faction controlling significant parts of Tripoli and backed by the First Support Force led by Mohamed Bahrun, also known as "Al-Faar," gained full control of positions held by forces loyal to Mohamed Al-Murtah, affiliated with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah's government.
It's reported that Al-Murtah fled the city after his forces were overpowered.
The clashes, centered in the Sayeda Zeinab area in the southern part of the city, involved heavy weapons. The local Red Crescent urged residents in the area to stay indoors, avoid windows, and exercise extreme caution until the situation returns to normal.
The agency also called on all warring parties to "cease fire and provide a safe passage for emergency teams to evacuate families trapped in the conflict zones."
The clashes come one day after Mohamed Al-Menfi, Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, visited Zawiya on Thursday, where he met with various local community leaders and groups from the western coastal and mountainous regions of Libya.
Since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been split between two rival governments -- the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and the eastern-based administration appointed by the House of Representatives. ■