Nine dead as fresh clashes erupt near Libya capital

Nine people including two civilians were killed near the Libyan capital on Thursday in fresh fighting between rival armed groups, an official said.

Thirteen others, including four civilians, were wounded in the violence on Tripoli's southern outskirts, according to preliminary assessments, said emergency services spokesman Osama Ali.
Despite a ceasefire deal reached on September 4, renewed fighting erupted this week, especially in the Salaheddin neighbourhood and on the route to Tripoli International Airport, which was destroyed in 2014.

The fighting which broke out late last month killed at least 63 people and wounded 159 others -- mostly civilians -- before the ceasefire came into effect.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday issued an appeal on Twitter urging the armed groups to abide by the ceasefire.

It reminded them that they were signatories to a binding ceasefire agreement and that "exposing civilians to harm is prohibited".
Last week the UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, had already reported 14 ceasefire violations.

The country's internationally recognised Government of National Accord said Monday that a "regular force" would be tasked with securing Tripoli's only working airport, Mitiga.
The Libyan capital has been at the centre of a battle for influence between armed groups since dictator Muammer Gaddafi was ousted in 2011.