At Least Two Dead in Libyan Capital in Clashes Between Demonstrators and Former Rebels

Many residents not happy with militias

Tripoli — Former rebel fighters opened fire Friday on hundreds of demonstrators calling for the ouster of unruly militias from the Libyan capital, leaving at least two dead and 25 wounded.

The militias are holdovers from the 2011 uprising that ousted dictator Moamer Kadhafi and now a powerful force in the increasingly lawless North African country.

"Two dead and 25 wounded have so far been admitted to Tripoli hospitals," a health ministry official told AFP, asking not to be named, in what he termed a provisional toll.

Sadat al-Badri, president of the Tripoli local council, or town hall, who had called for the protest, told AFP the shots fired at demonstrators came from inside the headquarters.