Clashes break out in Tripoli, drive rival Libyan PM away

By SAMY MAGDY
Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — Clashes in the Libyan capital of Tripoli have forced one of the country’s rival prime ministers to abort his attempt to seat his government there. Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha’s office said he arrived in Tripoli early Tuesday, with a number of ministers from his Cabinet, but left after the clashes erupted. The Tripoli-based government of embattled Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah slammed his rival, describing his arrival in the city as an armed group’s “desperate attempt to spread terror and chaos” in the Libyan capital. Bashagha was named prime minister by the country’s east-based parliament in February. But Dbeibah has refused to step down, insisting he’ll hand over power only to an elected government.