Demonstrations in Libyan capital after fighting earlier this week

TRIPOLI, Libya/ISTANBUL

Various groups held demonstrations Friday in Libyan capital of Tripoli after incidents in the city.

Demonstrators in Martyrs' Square chanted anti-government slogans and carried signs that read: “We want a constitutional referendum" and "From the streets of Libya, we want transparent general and presidential elections," after calls were made on social media.

Incidents in Tripoli

Clashes erupted Monday following the death of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, who headed the Stability Support Apparatus.

Shortly afterwards, the government announced that the 444th Brigade, affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, had seized the Stability Support Apparatus' headquarters in the Abu Salim neighborhood of Tripoli and taken control of the area.

In a May 13 statement, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh congratulated members of the army and police for success in establishing state authority in events that took place in Tripoli.

Clashes began in the early hours of May 14 between the Rada, which is considered one of the powerful militia groups in the capital, and government forces, and smoke was seen rising from buildings in parts of Tripoli.

The Defense Ministry later that day announced a ceasefire had been declared in all conflict zones in Tripoli as part of efforts to protect civilians.

An official from Health Affairs at the Tripoli Municipality, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, announced that six people died and 70 were injured in the clashes.