3 killed in Libya tribal violence

Three people were killed and more than six injured Monday in renewed clashes between the Tabuand Zuwiya tribes in Kufra in southeastern Libya, a local medical source has told Arabstoday. The head of the local security committee, Ali Abul Rakik, said clashes resumed at noon Monday in the between members of the Tabu tribe believed to have a Chadian ethnic background and the Zuwiya. Both heavy artillery and light firearms were used in the fight which broke out after Tabou refused to turn in wanted individuals, Rakik said. Security forces were deployed around Kufra and specially concentrated at main roads and squares, Rakik said, adding that "Kufra revolutionaries" have given the Tabu tribe a Monday evening deadline for turning in the wanted individuals before going into the tribe's areas. He said Tabu tribesmen were stationed on rooftops in the area and shooting at "anything that moves near their areas." Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan had announced reconciliation between the two tribes on February 7, saying he had met with Tabu and Zuwiya leaders. Interior ministry spokesperson Majdi al-Orfi meanwhile said the Libyan government "will not allow anyone to breach the ceasefire" recently agreed between the warring tribes in Kufra. Kufra council leader Mohammed Bousdina said the ministry of interior had deployed a support team of dozens of soldiers and 30 military vehicles to the city in response to the local security directorate's request for reinforcements. The Bousdina added that the Libyan government has signed an agreement with Sudan over border patrols but that the Libyan government hasn't brought the agreement into effect yet, leaving Sudanese security monitoring the border area on a daily basis. The conflict in Kufra between the Zuwiya and Tabu tribes erupted two years ago and has left hundreds dead and injured. Zuwiya accuse Tabu of loyalty to former Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and helping militants from neighbouring countries in their conflict with Zuwiya.