PM vows to end militias as rallies, violence rock capital

Libya's prime minister vowed to rid the North African nation of militias as deadly clashes and anti-government protests sparked fears of a widening conflict.

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Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, the United Nations-backed premier, urged Libyans to support the government's efforts for a country “free of militias”, which have become “more powerful than the state” and are “dominating political, financial, economic and even social landscape”.

His TV address last night followed days of clashes in the capital Tripoli between forces loyal to Mr Dbeibah and opposing groups he has been seeking to dismantle. The fighting is the worst in years, leaving eight dead and dozens wounded over the past week, according to the UN, and were followed by pro-tests in Tripoli calling on the premier to resign.